“It’s about RESPECT”- Kamaru Usman discusses why he desires to move up to Light Heavyweight
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Kamaru Usman
The Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman is scheduled to defend his title for the sixth time in Salt Lake City, Utah this weekend. He will face Leon Edwards in the main event of the UFC 278 card. However, the champion still has intentions to move up to 205lbs after the fight.
This will be their second meeting after ther first matchup in 2015 when both were new up-and-comers in the UFC. Edwards hasn’t lost since losing to the champion in 2015. After defeating the then-champion Tyron Woodley, Usman for the last three and a half years has been the one constant at the top of the UFC’s welterweight division. He is currently also residing at the top of pound-for-pound rankings.
On multiple occasions, the Welterweight Kingpin has shared his interest in moving up to Lightheavyweight to claim the double champ status and cement his name for the G.O.A.T conversation. Normally fighters tend to move up or down one weight class. However, since Usman has very good relations with the Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. He is willing to go two-weight classes up to try his hands at the ‘Champ Champ’ fame.
Kamaru Usman wants to prove that he is the P4P best fighter
In a recent interview, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman speaks with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto. The champion discussed his title defence this weekend, their last matchup, the pressure of being a champion, his injury and his interest in the move to Light Heavyweight.
Discussing the topic of moving up to 205lbs Usman stated, “A lot of times nowadays, everyone’s throwing around this, ‘G.O.A.T., greatest of all time…’ That’s relative, For me, what I want, and this is kind of why I got into the sport … I’m just a competitive guy. I got into sports and I just realized it was something burning inside me that I wanted to compete and compete. I wanted to best that guy. This is the ultimate, mono-e-mono, the sport to do it.“
Also Read: Kamaru Usman’s sole loss:- Who did the invincible UFC Welterweight champion loose to?
“With that being said with respect to that, I want to be respected. So, when I get in there and I bested everyone, I want you to show me that respect. So, if I bested everyone in my division then I said I will skip one and I just want to prove to you — everyone says pound-for-pound, but that’s just kind of a scenario.” Usman added.
The P4P king concluded by stating, “You just throw that out, ‘If they were the same weight class, could this guy best that guy?’ And I want to prove that. I want to be able to do that. No one’s ever done it. If I can do that, hey, you put whatever title you want to put on it but ultimately I want the respect.”
Also Read: The reality behind Kamaru Usman’s controversial STEROID USE accusations
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Abhijit Singh
(125 Articles Published)