Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards trilogy "concerning" for Khamzat Chimaev, says Daniel Cormier

Modified Jan 17, 2023 20:22 GMT

Daniel Cormier (left), UFC 286 poster (center), and Khamzat Chimaev (right). [Images courtesy: left image from Instagram @dc_mma, center image from Instagram @espnmma, and right image from @khamzat_chimaev] — Daniel Cormier (left), UFC 286 poster (center), and Khamzat Chimaev (right). [Images courtesy: Instagram - @dc_mma, @espnmma, and @khamzat_chimaev]

Khamzat Chimaev still does not have a fight booked for 2023, and it is worrying Daniel Cormier.

Leon Edwards will defend his title at UFC 286 on March 18 against a familiar foe in Kamaru Usman. The welterweight title bout will be held in Edwards' home country of England. The Usman-Edwards trilogy bout will also determine the trajectory of another top welterweight in Khamzat Chimaev.

Daniel Cormier recently weighed in on Chimaev's prolonged absence from the octagon. He stressed the need for 'Borz' to fight multiple times a year to strengthen his claim to title contention:

"For me, it's a big concern because now we're through the first quarter of the year, right? This [fight] is [in] March. So Khamzat is not in the first quarter. Who and when does he fight? He isn't in a position right now where he is a once-a-year type of guy. You need him at the beginning of the year, [and] you need him at the end of the year if you want to still establish him as a guy that could challenge."

'DC' also hoped to see Khamzat Chimaev out in London at UFC 286, even if it's at a heavier weight:

"I don't understand why Chimaev wouldn't be in London even if it's at middleweight. Just fighting someone to keep him out there. He hasn't fought since September. I would like him to be back at 170 [pounds] against a guy like Colby Covington or a Belal Muhammad."

Check out Daniel Cormier's full comments on YouTube:

Leon Edwards plays down Khamzat Chimaev's supposed threat

Leon Edwards was crowned welterweight champion after executing a spectacular comeback in his first title shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 278.

Edwards spoke about Khamzat Chimaev and dismissed the threat he posed. In an interview with Michael Bisping, the champion said:

"He [Khamzat] is a good fighter. [But] I don't think he's what the UFC was building him to be, like this untouchable monster... He's a solid fighter, he's good, but there's always ways to beat these guys. This is why I'm on an 11-fight win streak."

Check out Edwards' full comments below: