Khamzat Chimaev believes Kamaru Usman took short-notice UFC 294 fight ‘just to make money

Khamzat Chimaev welcomes all challengers looking to earn a big payday.

The late-notice withdrawal of Paulo Costa has resulted in former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman stepping in to fight Chimaev in a middleweight bout this Saturday at UFC 294, giving fans a a highly anticipated matchup under unexpected circumstances. To Chimaev, it makes sense that Usman would take the risk as he believes the rest of the roster sees him as a money fight.

Chimaev elaborated on that point at UFC 294 media day on Wednesday when asked if he knew he’d fight Usman someday.

“If he has the belt, I would go down, but the guy doesn’t have the belt, that’s why I don’t want to go down to [170], cut the weight for nothing,” Chimaev said. “If there’s gold there, of course, I’m going to cut the weight, but he couldn’t take the belt [back from Leon Edwards] so that’s why he asked, ‘Who is that guy?’ I’m Khamzat Chimaev. That’s why you come up and fight with me.”