Kamaru Usman says UFC 273 star Khamzat Chimaev 'hasn't done anything' and 'needs a few more fights' before title shot

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is adamant Khamzat Chimaev isn't worthy of being considered for a title shot.

Russian-born Swede Chimaev is on the cusp of competing for the 170lb belt after a mere four fights in mixed martial arts premier promotion.





The grappling phenom will be on the verge of vying for the welterweight strap should he get past former title challenger Gilbert Burns this weekend at UFC 273.

But Usman believes the undefeated Chechen has been given one hell of a promotional push from the UFC brass.

The Love Hemp Ambassador told SunSport: "It seems very, very quick. And that's what seems funny about it.

"Of course, I understand they're bringing all this hype and all this news, media and attention to this kid. But he hasn't done anything yet."

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Chimaev has made light work off all his octagon opponents, decimating John Phillips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert and spectacularly choking out Li Jingliang.

Usman, however, has yet to be impressed by Borz's body of work and would like to see him consistently mix it with the best the stacked welterweight division has to offer.

The Nigerian Nightmare said: "He's done his job, he's done what he's supposed to do with the opposition that's [been] presented to him.

"And so, yeah, I'd like to see him get in the rankings and fight some of these guys in the rankings to really put that flag down there [and], 'Hey, I really need a title shot.'

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"But just because it's off of hype and excitement, that doesn't warrant a title shot."

Usman is currently recovering from hand surgery but is expected to defend his title against Brit Leon Edwards later this year.

And in Usman's eyes, the soft-spoken Edwards – who is undefeated in his last ten fights – is the true embodiment of a deserving title contender.

The 34-year-old said: "Look at Leon Edwards. Leon fought me five years ago, I believe.

"Actually maybe even more – I think almost six or seven [years ago when] Leon fought me.

"And he hasn't lost since and is just now potentially about to get a title shot.

"So to just basically throw this kid in there in a year or two years and start talking about title contention when he hasn't beaten the likes of [Colby] Covington, [Jorge] Masvidal, Edwards, Burns, Luque, none of those guys.

"It's kind of tough to say, 'Okay, we're just going to skip over these guys and hand it to him because there's a lot of excitement around him.'"

Regardless of whether Chimaev makes a statement against his former Sanford MMA team-mate, Usman is adamant the UFC's latest Russian prospect needs some marquee wins over the welterweight division's elite.

He said: "I think he needs a few more fights."

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Kamaru Usman is an ambassador for Love Hemp, the Official Global CBD Partner of UFC.

Love Hemp is a leading supplier of CBD products in the UK and USA. Its award-winning range is stocked by over 2,000 retailers across the UK, giving Love Hemp a reputation as one of the most trusted CBD brands on the market.

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