“I want both paychecks!” 37-year-old Kamaru Usman unafraid of top stars Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov
Kamaru Usman doubles down on taking big risks and fighting anyone after ring rust hints from UFC 304 big winner Belal Muhammad.
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Kamaru Usman is open to fighting anyone (Source: IMAGO)
The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ takes a stand as the new 170lb king continues to stir the pot. After his dominant UFC 304 pay-per-view victory, Belal Muhammad is fielding challenges from the top two welterweights. With where the social media barbs have reached, Kamaru Usman fires back at his ‘delusional’ mindset that he is not fit for such challenges.
Since claiming undisputed gold in the Manchester pay-per-view event, ‘Remember the Name’ has been steadfast. Belal Muhammad wants to face either Usman or the divisional boogeyman Shavkat Rakhmonov. Given his competitive nature, the former UFC pound-for-pound now fires back at some of the most recent disses that hint at ring rust and insecurities over a string of losses.
For me, the way I looked at it - I want to fight both of them…Because I want both paychecks...If the champion decides to fight sometime in the next year, two years...then we’ll both [Shavkat] fight the champion but if the champion is not deciding to fight then the division is going to have to move on...Kamaru Usman via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Usman has lost three straight – two title shots. Then, a short-notice 185-pound challenge against Khamzat Chimaev added to the third consecutive loss. However, Kamaru Usman remains a prominent name linked to the potential for a maiden title defense. Speaking to the Submission Radio, even Muhammad has offered up Usman as a better legacy option.
Such Usman ‘legacy’ talk does not necessarily mean Muhammad is dillydallying or sidestepping against any other names. However, the two just have engaged head-on for a title-shot conversation. Usman, 37, even called dibs on his first defense after UFC 304. Muhammad releasing an AI song trashing Usman has also generated much interest. Unsurprisingly, Usman had his own response to the diss track.
Kamaru Usman replies to Belal Muhammad grilling him with diss track
Former UFC 170-pound champion Kamaru Usman did not just relay his mindset about fighting anyone, anywhere. He iterated the example of fighting Chimaev in almost a week’s notice to say how hungry he is for gold. Even though Usman is currently on a three-fight losing streak, the 20-4 veteran was once at the top of his game. He even went on a 5-0 title reign before losing his gold.
Belal Muhammad’s recent diss track hints at ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ having insecurities over title loss, a glass knee, and lollygagging out of lack of confidence. However, Usman says he’s never afraid of taking risks, unlike the current champion. Usman also weighed in on the diss track itself.
I didn’t know who this guy was a couple of years ago, or last year; I didn’t hear his name, and I didn’t even 'remember his name'… when you become champion it’s the affirmation of the delusion that you’ve had in your mind...That song is as corny as canned beef and [talking of] looking at golden belts – I have six of them in the room next door…Kamaru Usman further via Pound 4 Pound podcast
Before the legacy belt came on, the likes of Kamaru Usman got one title belt. Then, each for their subsequent defense. So, Usman finds it funny to say he has insecurities over winning another bling. He even bills it a corny “country lullaby.”
With his stark warning, if it comes to be, Belal Muhammad would have two realistic options to face him in active contention. They would be UFC 309 on November 16 from Madison Square Garden or UFC 310 on December 7 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It’s anyone’s game if the matchup finally happens.
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