PHOENIX – While many consider Khamzat Chimaev a standout in the UFC welterweight division, champion Kamaru Usman just sees another contender.
Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) refuses to give Chimaev any special placement despite the unbeaten contender’s unique rise and clear stardom in the sport. The 34-year-old definitely gives Chimaev his due respect, but no more or less than he would to any other fighter in his weight class.
“He’s a competitor,” Usman told reporters at UFC 274. “Each and every one of these guys in the division is a competitor. So I take them as competitors, I take them that serious. But as far as putting anything extra on anybody just to try to give them a boost, I don’t really care about that.
