UFC sensation Khamzat Chimaev has issued a warning to Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya as his title pursuit continues.

Throughout the course of UFC history we’ve seen plenty of hot prospects come and go. Some make it all the way to the top, whereas others fade into obscurity.

It’s too early to know whether or not he’ll become one of the greats, but one thing we know about Khamzat Chimaev is that 90% of MMA fans and pundits are convinced he’s going to be the next big thing.

So far he’s managed to accumulate a 4-0 record in the UFC, taking his overall pro MMA total to 10-0. He’s also been able to split his wins between 170 pounds and 185 which, in itself, is a huge testament to just how diverse he is as a fighter.

Now, in a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, he’s made sure to put middleweight and welterweight champions Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya on notice.

“Usman almost handicapped, brother,” Chimaev said. 

“His knees doesn’t work, his back hurts, his arm hurts, operation everywhere. The guy is too old, and he’s too slow. They wanna find a way to make money and go away from my way. 

“Israel, I think he will fight me. I don’t think the guy is scared. That guy is gonna fight with me, and I will fight the guy, as well. But this is not my level, that guy. He gives his back to this guy [Whittaker] who never did wrestling in UFC, never took somebody down.”

“I can take that belt today,” Chimaev said. “Just send me location where is Usman, where is Israel. I’m gonna go and smash them both. I don’t know what the UFC is gonna do. I’m ready. I said it from my first fight: I come here to take my belt. I’m still saying that after my fights.”

The next step for Khamzat Chimaev

This Saturday night at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Khamzat Chimaev faces his biggest test yet when he competes against former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns.

If he wins, and does so convincingly, a date with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ may not be all too far away.