5 fighters who could prove to be a threat to Kamaru Usman

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#2. Sean Brady

Sean Brady could pose issues for champion Kamaru Usman. Brady entered the UFC with a 10-0 record and defeated Court McGee in his UFC debut. While Brady has struggled to put a stamp on his finishing potential, he remains a possible challenger to Kamaru Usman.

Kamaru Usman has some of the best wrestling in the division. However if Brady can secure top position, that could spell trouble for the welterweight titleholder. Kamaru Usman, of course, has never been taken down in his UFC career. Yet, oftentimes it's Brady's pressure while standing that forces takedowns from his opponents.

Sean Brady's forward pressure against Jake Matthews at UFC 259 began to overwhelm the Australian. After his top pressure tired Matthews out for the first two rounds, Brady took advantage in a scramble and snatched a neck in round three. After controlling Matthews on the mat, his technique was too much and he submitted the Australian with an arm-triangle choke.

The cardio and submission technique could pose serious issues for Kamaru Usman. Since 'The Nigerian Nightmare' relies on offensive wrestling in many of his fights, the room for error while grappling with Brady appears to be finite.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev

The star of Fight Island, Khamzat Chimaev, is hungry, and his eyes are fixed on the entire welterweight division. Make no mistake, the Chechen-Swede has already targeted Kamaru Usman too. After dispatching Chinese contender Li Jingliang at UFC 267, 'Borz' has once again taken over the UFC wavelengths.

His aura of invincibility began before UFC 267. The rising upstart caused huge ripples inside the company after winning two fights consecutively within ten days. While Chimaev has unfortunately dealt with a nasty COVID-19 infection, he appears ready and the hype around him has continued to build.

Khamzat Chimaev has had more fights in the UFC than the number of strikes he's absorbed in all four contests. With one-punch knockout power and a perfect finishing record, Khamzat Chimaev is by far the biggest threat to Kamaru Usman and his 170-pound strap. The mystique surrounding the 29-year-old is a byproduct of his mind-boggling performances.

Following his most recent victory against Li, Khamzat Chimaev broke into the rankings and now holds the distinction as the No.10-ranked welterweight in the UFC. With an unbeaten record of 10-0, and a palpable energy surrounding him, the rising star might be in the sights of Kamaru Usman sooner rather than later.