Kamaru Usman News
Gilbert Burns downplays Conor McGregor's chances at welterweight: "I think it's not fair"
Josh Evanoff - August 4, 2022
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns believes Conor McGregor should stay down at lightweight. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 last July. In that trilogy outing, McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of round one. Due to the injury, he’s been on the sidelines for over a year.
Kamaru Usman to guest star in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Josh Evanoff - July 29, 2022
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has his first acting role. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is set to return next month against Leon Edwards at UFC 278. It’ll be the second time that the two have faced off. Their first encounter happened in December 2015, with Usman picking up the decision victory.
Brendan Schaub confused by Kamaru Usman moving to light-heavyweight: "His lower body is lightweight"
Josh Evanoff - July 19, 2022
Brendan Schaub doesn’t understand UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman moving to 205-pounds. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is set to face Leon Edwards at UFC 278 next month. If he’s successful, the 35-year-old hopes to move up in weight and fight at light-heavyweight. The attempt would be to gain a second UFC title.
Jan Blachowicz open to Kamaru Usman showdown: "Why not?"
Josh Evanoff - July 13, 2022
Jan Blachowicz is open to a fight with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The Poland-native is fresh off a TKO victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Vegas 54 in May. Blachowicz hopes that the win was enough to secure a title shot next time out. However, if he doesn’t end up fighting Jiri Prochazka, he’d be fine with another fight.
Kamaru Usman targets light-heavyweight move after Leon Edwards fight: "That's what we want"
Josh Evanoff - July 12, 2022
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is ready to move up in weight. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is set to face Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 278 next month. The bout is a rematch of their December 2015 encounter. That bout wound up being won by Usman via unanimous decision.
Georges St-Pierre names the three current fighters he would choose to fight if forced back into the UFC
Fernando Quiles - July 10, 2022
Georges St-Pierre has no plans of returning to pro MMA competition but he has three names in mind if he has a change of heart. St-Pierre is a living legend. He ruled the roost at welterweight under the UFC banner for so many years and even captured the UFC Middleweight Championship before calling it a career. He is now a UFC Hall of Famer.
Michael Bisping believes Leon Edwards is “going to have to be perfect” in order to dethrone Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2022
MMA analyst Michael Bisping believes Leon Edwards needs to be perfect if he wants to defeat Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. On August 20 in Salt Lake City, Leon Edwards will finally get his chance at glory as he prepares to lock horns with Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship. It’s a moment that has been a long time coming and while he may have lost to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ back in 2015, both men are very different nowadays and have been through an awful lot in their respective careers.
Dana White says it's "undeniable" that Kamaru Usman is the greatest welterweight ever: "He's lapping guys"
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2022
Dana White believes Kamaru Usman is undeniably the welterweight GOAT. Usman is set to defend his welterweight title against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 278 on August 20 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s an intriguing matchup as Usman looks to defend his belt for the sixth time, and the bout also serves as a rematch of their 2015 fight.
Leon Edwards says he will offer Jorge Masvidal a title shot if he dethrones Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2022
Leon Edwards has revealed that he will give Jorge Masvidal a title shot if he beats Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title. Back in March 2019, UFC London was home to two big wins for Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards as both continued their march up through the 170-pound division. However, it was what happened backstage that made the headlines as Masvidal attacked Edwards following a brief exchange between the two.
Salt Lake City to host UFC 278 on August 20, Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards set as main event
Fernando Quiles - June 12, 2022
Salt Lake City is getting a big UFC title fight in the form of Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards. During the UFC 275 broadcast, it was announced that UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman will be putting his gold on the line against Leon Edwards at UFC 278 on August 20th.
UFC interim welterweight title?
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2022
One of the UFC’s top welterweight fighters believes an interim title is “the right thing to do” given the absence of champion Kamaru Usman. Usman (20-1 MMA), the promotions reigning welterweight champion, has not competed since scoring a decision victory over Colby Covington at November’s UFC 268 event. Following his fifth consecutive defense of the 170lbs title, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ revealed that he was suffering from a broken hand that required surgery.
Ali Abdelaziz says Canelo Alvarez blew his chance to fight Kamaru Usman with recent loss to Dmitry Bivol: “He became just one of the guys”
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2022
Ali Abdelaziz believes Canelo Alvarez vs Kamaru Usman isn’t likely to happen after Canelo’s loss to Dmitry Bivol. For months now, Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz have been talking up the possibility of a crossover superfight against boxing sensation Canelo Alvarez. The Mexican star is still considered by many to be one of the pound for pound best boxers on the planet but following his defeat to Dmitry Bivol last month, some have questioned whether or not he’s as invincible as many make him out to be.
Brendan Schaub not a fan of Nick Diaz challenging Kamaru Usman: "It doesn't make a ton of sense"
Josh Evanoff - May 31, 2022
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub is among those who don’t want to see Nick Diaz fight Kamaru Usman. Earlier this month, the former Strikeforce champion stated that he would love a fight against Usman. Despite coming off a loss to Robbie Lawler last September at UFC 266, Diaz believes that he would do well against the UFC welterweight champion. However, the bout is unlikely to happen.
Chase Hooper scolds John McCarthy for suggesting Kamaru Usman would get “lit up” by Nick Diaz: “Probably one of the worst MMA takes I’ve seen”
Susan Cox - May 31, 2022
Chase Hopper has scolded John McCarthy for suggesting Kamaru Usman would get ‘lit up’ by Nick Diaz. During a recent interview with ‘TMZ’, Nick Diaz (26-10 MMA) indicated he’s targeting an end-of-year return and he’d like to challenge Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA) for the title.
Nick Diaz plans to return in 2022, requests to fight Kamaru Usman: “I want to fight for the title”
Susan Cox - May 26, 2022
Nick Diaz plans to return to the Octagon later this year, in 2022, and is requesting a fight with Kamaru Usman. Diaz (26-10 MMA) indeed wants a shot at UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA).
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Leon Edwards following news of Kamaru Usman’s lingering hand injury
Fernando Quiles - May 22, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev is calling for a showdown with Leon Edwards amid Kamaru Usman’s lingering hand issues. Edwards is expected to be the next contender for Usman’s UFC Welterweight Championship. Initial reports indicated that the UFC was targeting the title fight for International Fight Week this July.
Kamaru Usman says Khamzat Chimaev and other contenders need to beat Colby Covington before they get a title shot
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2022
Kamaru Usman believes Khamzat Chimaev and other welterweight contenders need to get past Colby Covington before they can get a title shot. Usman is currently on the sidelines as he rehabs his hand injury. When he returns, it’s likely he will face Leon Edwards. After that, there is no clear-cut contender but Khamzat Chimaev is one fighter knocking on the door. Yet, Usman believes the Swede should have to go through Covington first.
Gilbert Burns explains why Leon Edwards has "the best chance" to beat Kamaru Usman
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2022
Gilbert Burns believes Leon Edwards has the best chance to dethrone Kamaru Usman and become the new welterweight champion. Usman is currently rehabbing his hand but when he returns it is expected he will face Edwards next. The two fought back in December 2015 and it was Usman edging out a decision in a close fight. Since then, both Usman and Edwards haven’t lost and Burns believes there are a few key reasons why the Brit can have success against the champ.