lol at thinking Colby and Usman are easier fights, both of them are better boxers with seemingly far better cardio, who actually have elite TDD and can just as easily take Khamzat down if he gets too aggressive. Not to mention they are just strait up larger men with longer reaches and strong wrestling pedigrees.
Khamzat overextends too much and isn't as hard to take down as advertised, Burns was able to easily get underneath him several times, if Colby or Usman have that opportunity they will get Khamzat down. Khamzat might be terrible off his back, we have no clue. What we do know is that his head movement is atrocious, and would get him KO'd against Usman, he desperately needs to improve that asap.
I don't see how anyone can say Usman is an easier fight than Burns, the same Burns who gives up octagon control to swing bombs and gas in 2 rounds? The same Burns who didn't even have a TDD of 60%. I'd be more worried about the fact that Khamzat couldn't control Burns and gave up on his wrestling, was he gassed too?? The UFC wanted this matchup because Burns would be seemingly easy to takedown and control given the size difference. What happens if Khamzat can't take Usman down? He's just going to walk into strait punches until he can't take them anymore? What if Khamzat didn't consciously avoid the grappling, what if he was actually tired?
Colby might not have the power of Burns, but he has far better boxing combinations and far far far better cardio and durability. Khamzat might be the 2nd most naturally gifted fighter in the division after Usman, but those intangibles will only take him so far. He is very fortunate to have been declared the winner when he could've easily lost against burns. Now the only edge he really did have is gone, everyone can see his flaws and now every fight is about to get much harder.
Burns without intel was one buckle from Khamzat in round 3 from winning the fight. Usman with Intel is a KO win imo, and Colby with intel is a decision win. Maybe Colby is shopworn from the damage he took from Usman and will crumble to one big shot, but going off the information we have it's far more likely Khamzat doesn't have elite cardio, isn't elite off his back, and doesn't have the boxing advantage over Colby. The one hope being that Khamzat can control Colby and wrestle fuck him, but that's just a hope. Even if he could, what are the chances he could do it for 3 rounds? Let alone 5...
I preferred the Magny route, throwing the kid into this situation is more than likely going to end badly, but it'll be entertaining atleast. Dana didn't seem so keen on a Colby fight, so I wonder what the UFC will do next. I'm a Khamzat supporter but he's in a tough spot, hopefully he has the time needed to refine his game.
