If both of their upcoming fights are successful, Dana White believes a Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev welterweight title match makes sense if both the fighters win their fights at UFC 278 and 279. However, he cautions everyone not to write off their opponents.
Also Read: UFC 278: Prediction, Odds, Fight Card, Preview, and Live Streaming Details
UFC 278
Usman will defend his title against Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City this Saturday, and Chimaev will face Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 279 the following month. When asked about a potential matchup between Usman and Chimaev on Tuesday, the UFC President expressed some skepticism, but it appears that the chances are decent.
After DWCS Season 6, Week 4, White said to reporters, “It’s fair.” “I don’t ever do that s*** but it’s fair to say if he wins that one, that’s the fight to make. [Usman has] already beat everybody twice at the top so that makes sense.”
Also Read: Jorge Masvidal wouldn’t be surprised if Nate Diaz ‘stops’ Khamzat at UFC 279
UFC 279
While Diaz competes in his final UFC match on September 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Edwards will finally have the chance to avenge his most recent defeat to Usman from December 2015.
White has been in the game long enough to understand that nothing is guaranteed, despite the fact that both Edwards and Diaz are huge underdogs.
“It’s huge, especially if he wins that Nate fight,” White explained. “By the way, I did a bunch of media today and everybody’s counting Nate Diaz out. It’s just like people counting Leon Edwards out. You can’t count anybody out. In this sport, man, you never know what’s going to happen. Anything is possible.”
Also Read: UFC 279 to feature Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev!
Usman in Light-Heavyweight Devision?
Usman has openly discussed a move up to light heavyweight should he be victorious on Saturday. “The Nigerian Nightmare” appears more than willing to move up two divisions in his pursuit of a second title, even though his good friend Israel Adesanya is currently the middleweight champion.
Although White believes he won’t be able to stop the 170-pound king from moving up to light heavyweight, he believes the fight between Usman and Chimaev, should everything fall into place, makes more sense.
“You know what doesn’t make sense? 205 [pounds],” White said. “I mean, look what the guy has done. If he wants to go to 205, what am I going to tell him? Why would you not give him the opportunity?”
