Khamzat Chimaev Claims Kamaru Usman Is Scared Of Him So He’s Training Gilbert Burns

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman is definitely one of the top fighters in the world. He is considered as the pound-for-pound world’s best fighter as well. Usman is currently helping former buddy and training partner-turned-rival Gilbert Burns prepare for an upcoming bout.

TMZ Sports spoke with the 27-year-old undefeated fighter only days before his big UFC 273 battle against 35-year-old Burns, the #2 rated 170 pounder. They questioned Borz why Usman was helping with the training. According to Khamzat Chimaev, it’s because the welterweight champion is scared.

I feel sorry for both those guys. I’m gonna smash the guy and punch his face and his best friend will be standing there in the corner and make him scared as well, ya know. Of course ’cause he’s afraid. They push him down under me, you know, because he’s scared, that’s why. That’s why he wants to stop me before I come for him. The guy number two in the division that’s why I smash him, what are they gonna do? After that, they have to fight me.

Burns isn’t being cornered by Usman, by the way. Vicente Luque, Gilbert’s best friend, will be in his corner for the bout, as he normally is. Gilbert is getting support from Usman, the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the UFC. It was surprising because the Nigerian Nightmare and Burns had a squabble prior to their title bout in February 2021, which Kamaru won by TKO.

The 10-0 boxer said why he thought Usman was assisting Burns and whether this meant Kamaru supported Durinho. Khamzat is now rated 11th in the division, if a win would be enough to earn him a championship chance against Usman, who hasn’t lost a fight in nearly a decade. Kamaru has won 19 consecutive fights.

Despite his lesser ranking than Gilbert, Khamzat is a huge betting favorite in their battle, with bettors having to pay down more than $500 to win $100. Chimaev’s fight with Burns will be the greatest obstacle he’s faced in Dana White’s company, as he has run past his previous four UFC opponents. Surprisingly, Khamzat has only been hit four times in those four battles, an astonishing statistic, but not one that worries Chimaev.

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