3 reasons why Khamzat Chimaev can beat Kamaru Usman - and 2 reasons why he can't

#2: Khamzat Chimaev is unproven at the highest level

Khamzat Chimaev's opponents in the UFC have not been real world beaters

The biggest reason for believing that Kamaru Usman would turn back the challenge of Khamzat Chimaev is simply that ‘Borz’ has not been tested at the highest level yet.

Sure, his four UFC wins have been incredibly impressive, particularly when you consider that he hasn’t even taken a single significant strike in those fights.

However, with respect, none of his opponents were truly elite-level fighters. John Phillips and Rhys McKee hold a cumulative UFC record of 1-7, and are probably among the lowest-level welterweights to compete in the octagon in recent years.

Gerald Meerschaert was undoubtedly a step up for Chimaev, but ‘GM3’ has never been ranked in the UFC’s top 15 at middleweight. He was also coming off a knockout loss to Ian Heinisch when he fought ‘Borz’ last year.

Li Jingliang was, of course, a ranked fighter. But even he was only the #11 welterweight in the UFC, and has losses to both Jake Matthews and Neil Magny on his record.

Essentially, it’s hard to proclaim that Khamzat Chimaev could beat Kamaru Usman when he has yet to face an opponent ranked in the top ten – a name like Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson or Gilbert Burns.

Could Chimaev defeat fighters like that? It’s possible, but right now there’s just not enough evidence to suggest he’s the man to dethrone Kamaru Usman.

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#1: Kamaru Usman may be the best welterweight in UFC history

It could be argued that Kamaru Usman is the UFC's greatest-ever welterweight

For as good as Khamzat Chimaev has shown himself to be thus far into his UFC career, it’s worth remembering quite how brilliant Kamaru Usman is.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is not just a regular UFC champion. There’s an argument to suggest that he may well be the greatest welterweight in UFC history, if not in terms of his accomplishments yet, then on talent alone.

Usman has been on the UFC’s roster since 2015. In the years that have followed his debut, he’s defeated a total of 14 opponents without tasting defeat – setting a UFC record in the process.

More to the point, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has barely even been tested in that time. He’s never been taken down, rarely eats heavy strikes, and has only been knocked down by two opponents – Hayder Hassan and Gilbert Burns, who were both finished off later in the fight.

Even the great Georges St-Pierre didn’t quite give off the same aura of invincibility as Usman. While that may be down to the fact that GSP faced tougher opponents is up for debate, but regardless, defeating ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is a massive task for anyone.

That includes Khamzat Chimaev. While ‘Borz’ may well prove to be a generational talent, if he does end up facing Usman in the near future, he’ll be faced with an opponent not only equally talented but also one who has had more time to develop his skills.

Essentially, to expect anyone – even Khamzat Chimaev – to dethrone Kamaru Usman right now just isn’t a smart idea.