Kamaru Usman interfered in Khamzat Chimaev’s chances against Dricus Du Plessis

Kamaru Usman don’t hesitate Khamzat Chimaev‘s chances of becoming a UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis down to the ground.

Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dominated former champion Robert Whittaker and earned a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Usman has firsthand experience with Chimaev’s power. Usman was knocked down and controlled for the entirety of Round 1 of their bout at UFC 294, but he managed to survive the attack. He finished lose the fight by majority decision after a late rally.

Just as Chimaev managed to control Whittaker, Usman sees things going no different for Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) – but perhaps no finish.

“Khamzat is hell in that first round,” Usman said of his “Pound 4 pounds” podcast with Henry Cejudo. “He’s hell when he’s dry like that, and he’s big and strong, and he still moves like a welterweight. It’s hell for everyone. Do I think he can do that to Dricus? I think he can take out Dricus 100 percent.

“I think he can stop him, but I don’t know if he can finish because Dricus is very, very strong. There’s a reason why Dricus is the champion. He is very tough and Dricus will not stop trying. Will Khamzat take him down? Yes. Could he keep him in? Yeah, maybe the whole first round. But can he finish him? Don’t know.”

Chimaev’s performance caught the attention of middleweight champion Du Plessisand he could ultimately surpass Sean Strickland as the No. 1 contender after UFC 308.