UFC star and 4th ranked welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, has called for a fight with former champion, Kamaru Usman, also threatening to ’squeeze the head’ of the Nigerian Nightmare when both fighters clash in the octagon.

Chimaev is yet to return to the octagon since his first round Submission (D’Arce choke) win over Kevin Holland in September at UFC 279 in Las Vegas while Usman is looking to bounce back from his double championship loss to Leon Edwards in August 2022 and March 2023.

A fight between both Mixed Martial Arts superstars is expected to be a blockbuster and is expected to take place in the Middle East sometime in October, should both fighters sign the contracts. 

Former champion Usman defended the title five times against – twice against Colby Covington and Jorge Mashvidal and against Gilbert Burns before losing to Edwards in his sixth defence via knockout. At 29, Chimaev is touted to be the future of the sport and a fight against Usman is sure to edge him closer to a title fight against Edwards if he beats the Nigerian.

“I want to say to Usman, I am ready, just sign the contract,” Chamaev said video. “Let’s fight. Let’s make money. You want the money, you want the money, let’s go. I’m going to squeeze your head off… Let’s go, let’s fight. The weight classes, if you feel the best, you don’t need to speak about weight class. I feel the best, for me it doesn’t matter, I cut on fight night – all weight classes. I’m the king.”  

Chimaev says he is leaving no stone unturned in terms of training as he awaits his next opponent, “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.”