UFC boss Dana White makes announcement on Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev amid rumour fight is happening next
DANA WHITE has addressed rumours of a fight between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev being in the works.
Former pound-for-pound king Usman made a public beeline for the surging welterweight contender just weeks after his trilogy fight defeat to Leon Edwards in March.
Both men have publicly entertained the bout, which is reportedly being targeted for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi this October.
But White has shot down the premature reports, telling TSN: “Completely not true. It’s bullsh**t.”
Undefeated Russian-born Swede Chimaev hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since his one-sided beatdown of Kevin Holland last September.
The weight class for Borz’s next outing is currently up in the air as he missed weight for his cancelled bout with Nate Diaz by a whopping 7.5lbs.
MMA fans have grown impatient with the lack of news surrounding the Chechen clubber, which White insists is imminent.
The veteran promoter said: “We got a plan for Khamzat, and when we’re ready to announce it, we will.”
Defeat in his rubber match with welterweight champion Edwards has left former 170lbs king Usman, 35, in limbo.
And according to White, The Nigerian Nightmare has had a change of heart about the prospect of fighting Chimaev at middleweight.
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He said: “I don’t know what Usman is gonna do right now. Usman’s still making some decisions, you know.
“He wants to fight Khamzat but he doesn’t wanna fight at ‘85. And I’m not doing a catchweight.”
Chimaev, 29, is preparing to make his octagon return in October and hopes it will be Usman standing across from him.
He said: “UFC told us we have a fight in Abu Dhabi, so that’s what I’m waiting for.
“I’m already here in Dubai, living here, training camp, everything is good, so I’ve been in shape a long time ago.
“I’ve been in Thailand training camp, I’ve been here training camp, I’ve been in Sweden training.
“So just waiting for the opponent and the contract, so we’ll see what’s going to happen.
“Usman wants to fight. I’ll make his last fight.
“He wants money, he knows where the money is. Everyone knows the money.
“Now I’m going to fight this guy in Abu Dhabi and smash his face, finish him, then they have to give me that title shot.”