Kamaru Usman News
Kamaru Usman issues statement following Covington vs Lawler booking
Christopher Taylor - June 24, 2019
It was expected that current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman would fight former interim champ Colby Covington in his first attempted title defense. However, that is no longer the case as it was reported earlier this evening that Covington would be returning to the cage this August in Newark against former division title holder Robbie Lawler.
Jorge Masvidal breaks down Colby Covington vs. Kamaru Usman fight
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2019
After Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the new welterweight champion, the expectation was that he would soon defend the title against Colby Covington. But there has been little to no talk of the fight since Usman’s big win. Covington expressed interest in fighting during International Fight Week in July, or on the UFC’s August pay-per-view, but those cards are now booked. So, if this fight is going to happen it will be later this year. If the fight finally does happen, UFC welterweight contender and long-time Colby Covington training partner Jorge Masvidal believes “Chaos” will get his hand raised as he is a little better at everything than Usman.
Kamaru Usman discusses fights with Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Natasha Hooper - May 27, 2019
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman discussed his highly anticipated showdown with former interim champion Colby Covington, which has still not yet been finalized. He says that his health is his priority, and that he needs to recover from his lingering injuries before he commits to his first title defense.
Colby Covington calls 'fake news' on Kamaru Usman surgery
Cole Shelton - May 24, 2019
Colby Covington has been waiting to get a shot at the welterweight title ever since he beat Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 to win the interim belt. It has been nearly a year since that fight, and Covington has stated he is ready to fight and is just waiting on the champion Kamaru Usman, who is recovering from injury. However, Covington believes Usman is not even hurt, and that he didn’t even need surgery. Instead, he thinks the champion is faking injuries to avoid him.
Kevin Lee lists five opponents he wants to fight before career is over
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019
Kevin Lee is moving up to welterweight to take on the former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester this Saturday. Although “The Motown Phenom” is moving up in weight he is not done for good in the lightweight division. Instead, he has hopes of fighting a few lightweights in particular before his career is over.
Kamaru Usman reacts to Ben Askren losing to Jordan Burroughs
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2019
On Monday night, UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren stepped onto the mats for a wrestling match with Jordan Burroughs. The bout topped the Beat the Streets 2019 charity event, which emanated the Hulu Theatre inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. In the end, this charity wrestling match did not go well for Askren. The former ONE and Bellator champ was shut out by Burroughs, who won 11-0.
Kamaru Usman says Colby Covington has to beg him for title fight
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2019
After Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the new welterweight champion it was expected Colby Covington would be first in line to get the title shot. UFC President, Dana White even said so during the event. But now, Usman wants Covington to beg him for the fight. “Now you have to beg me for that fight,” Usman said backstage at UFC 236 (transcript via MMAJunkie).
VIDEO | New footage shows Kamaru Usman and Ali Abdelaziz confront Colby Covington in Vegas
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
Shortly after UFC 235 wrapped up, there was a heated confrontation inside The Palms casino, as UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz confronted top welterweight contender Colby Covington. This confrontation ultimately got somewhat violent, as video revealed the manager Abdelaziz actually took a swing at Covington.
EXCLUSIVE | Colby Covington thinks Kamaru Usman will try to avoid him
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2019
At UFC 235, Kamaru Usman became the new welterweight champion after dominating Tyron Woodley from bell to bell. Following the fight, it was reported Colby Covington would be getting the next title shot at Usman. However, Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has mentioned Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal as fighters who could also be next next for the new champ. That has left Colby Covington wondering if Usman even wants to fight him.
EXCLUSIVE | Colby Covington explains how his altercation with Abdelaziz and Usman started
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
Colby Covington didn’t fight at UFC 235, yet he still managed to generate many of the event’s biggest headlines. The day after the event, for example, video was released of Covington, Ali Abdelaziz, and Kamaru Usman getting into an altercation in the Palms Casino and Resort (see it here).
VIDEO | Kamaru Usman explains 'Marty from Nebraska' nickname
Drake Riggs - March 19, 2019
“[My high school wrestling coach] is reading the roll sheet calling names and he goes, ‘Kfam..Kamar… Who the? Who is this kid? Who the f*ck is this kid?'” Kamaru Usman shared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “And I’m like, ‘That’s me, coach…’ That’s your name?! I’m like yeah, he’s like, ‘I’m not saying that!’ Cause my full name is Kamarudeen. He’s like, ‘I’m not gonna say that! Like, Kamardien, Kamardy… I’m gonna call you Marty,’ And I’m just like, ‘Yeah sure, coach…’ “I’m 5-foot-3, 100-pounds, I’m scared of this guy and I’m like sure. I mean, you’re a kid, you don’t care. You’re gonna have nicknames growing up. Now the whole team’s calling me Marty. I love that coach, he essentially changed the course of my life.
Dana White confirms Colby Covington will get title shot before Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - March 19, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal flattened Darren Till in the UFC London main event, he catapulted back into UFC welterweight title contention, and in the eyes of some fans, even usurped Colby Covington’s spot as the next man in line for Kamaru Usman. Speaking to Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday, UFC President Dana White cleared things up.
Ali Abdelaziz suggests Usman vs. Masvidal fight, Colby Covington responds in classic fashion
Tom Taylor - March 18, 2019
Last Saturday night, in the main event of UFC London, Jorge Masvidal burst into title contention with a stunning knockout of Darren Till. The knockout was so impressive that Ali Abdelaziz, who manages UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman, now wants his fighter to take on Masvidal next instead of Colby Covington. Just spoke to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman's manager Ali Abdelaziz: "We think Jorge Masvidal deserves the next title shot. Not Colby Covington. Colby is a terrible person and doesn't deserve it. Jorge just knocked out Darren Till like that? He should be next."
Darren Till comments on 'weird fight' between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - March 14, 2019
When Tyron Woodley fought Darren Till in September, he looked like an absolute juggernaut. When he fought Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 earlier this month, hit looked far less impressive, and ultimately surrendered his welterweight strap to Usman as a result. Darren Till, who fights Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC London this weekend, recently commented on Woodley’s varying performances in these two fights
Fresh out of knee surgery, Kamaru Usman promises beating for 'you know who'
Thomas Taylor - March 12, 2019
Kamaru Usman was the picture of dominance in his welterweight title-winning defeat of Tyron Woodley at UFC 235. That being said, he didn’t leave the Octagon unscathed. During the fight, he injured his knee, and on Tuesday, went under the knife to repair this injury. Moments after coming out of surgery, a still dazed Kamaru Usman took to his Instagram story, where he greeted his ever-expanding fan base and promised he’d be back in action soon.
Ben Askren vows to retire if he gets KO’d by Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019
Ben Askren continues to wreak havoc both inside and outside of the octagon, with his latest target being newly-crowned UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. “Funky” made his highly anticipated octagon debut earlier this month at UFC 235, where he scored a controversial submission victory over former division title holder Robbie Lawler.
Kamaru Usman broke records in UFC 235 victory over Tyron Woodley
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2019
On Saturday night, Kamaru Usman wrested the UFC welterweight strap from the waist of long-time champion Tyron Woodley. It was a near flawless victory from Usman, who dominated the champion for five rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. Some stats collected by Michael Carroll on Twitter, however, reveal Usman’s win was more than just impressive. It was record-breaking.
Ben Askren won't fight for UFC welterweight strap without speaking to Tyron Woodley first
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2019
The first shot at new UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman is expected to go to his arch rival Colby Covington. That being said, after an ugly altercation with Covington, Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is pushing for a fight with new UFC star Ben Askren instead. Ben Askren, of course, has his eyes on UFC gold. Yet he says he won’t accept a title fight with Kamaru Usman until he’s spoken with the former champion, his good friend and training partner Tyron Woodley.