“If he was able to get that win, I think he will definitely be turning down that title shot,” Kamaru Usman thinks Nate Diaz will not take the title shot


“If he was able to get that win, I think he will definitely be turning down that title shot,” Kamaru Usman thinks Nate Diaz will not take the title shot

Nate Diaz and Kamaru Usman

The UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is going to face Jorge Masvidal in a rematch at UFC 261. If Usman once again proved his worth this weekend, he thinks the issue for his next opponent will be resolved at UFC 262.

ADVERTISEMENT

At UFC 262, the number three ranked Welterweight fighter Leon Edwards will be entering the Octagon against Nate Diaz. It is an unexpected match-up for Edwards but Usman believes a win in this one will give him the title shot.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Kamaru Usman says, “Yeah, it’s kind of a funky one, they just kind of threw that in there on us but I like it. I really like the fight. I think it’s something that Leon Edwards desperately needed because I recognize his skills and I recognize how hard he’s worked since taking that loss to me.”

“He’s worked very, very hard, he’s improved his wrestling, this guy is taking guys down, he’s submitting guys, he’s going the distance, five rounds with guys and he’s looking great.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Kamaru Usman added, “So I respect everything that he has done up to this point but the one thing that’s been lacking is the fact that he just didn’t have that recognition. The casual fans, if you mention his name to them they’re like, ‘Who’s that?’ It sucks to say but that was the case so a fight like this is something that can give him that recognition.”

“If he goes out there and does what I think he’s capable of doing, come that next week people will know who Leon Edwards is and he makes a strong case for himself. You can’t deny him at that point. Eight-fight win streak, with that fight it will probably be nine so yeah it’s tough to deny the man a title shot.”

Kamaru Usman said if Nate Diaz wins he is getting the title shot

Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz is one of the biggest superstars in UFC and there may be any fighter who doesn’t want to fight him. Even the champion Kamaru Usman believes he will get the title shot if he beats Leon Edwards.

Kamaru Usman says, “You know me. I don’t shy away from any challenge. I’ll take on anybody. But according to him? I think that’s the second case to where a fighter just flat out says, ‘You know what? I don’t even want a title shot. I’m good.’”

ADVERTISEMENT

“I offered it to Conor when Conor was running his mouth that the third belt looked great to him and this and that and I said, ‘Yo, I’m here. I’m available. What date do you want to do it?’ But he was quiet. He didn’t respond.”

Kamaru Usman continued, “So that’s the first case where a guy was like, ‘You know what? I don’t want none of those problems. I don’t want to do it.’ And I think this will probably be the second case. If he was able to get that win, I think he will definitely be turning down that title shot.”

Although Kamaru Usman believes if Nate Diaz will ask for the title shot with a win against Edwards, he will be more than happy to give him that. He added, “I want any fight and a fight like that, these are just fun fights for me.”

“I’m starting to have fun with this, so these are just fun fights for me. Whether it’s Nate, whether it’s Leon, whether it’s Covington, they’re all fun fights for me now.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: “I like the Rafael Dos Anjos fight, like a former champ,” Dan Hooker targets summer return.

UFC Vegas 24 (Main Event): Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum Preview and Prediction.