“He’s a cool guy,” Kamaru Usman reveals relationship with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal after becoming famous

Kamaru Usman praises NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal's character, highlighting their cool friendship and mutual understanding, discovered through time spent together outside their athletic careers.

“He’s a cool guy,” Kamaru Usman reveals relationship with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal after becoming famous

Kamaru Usman on Shaquille O'Neal (Image via: Instagram)

Kamaru Usman is one of the best MMA fighter. The former long-reigning welterweight champion is also one of the best-styled athletes in the UFC. Usman also has business outside of his professional fighting career. Moreover, he is also friends with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, another athlete with diversified businesses.

Usman was the guest on the recent podcast episode of Valuetainment. In the podcast, Usman said nice things about Shaquille O’Neal. This is what he said.

Shaq and I are pretty cool, you know. We've been around each other quite a few times. Shaq is cool, and I think, you know, spending time getting to know him a little bit, you realize...That's a cool guy. That's a guy I could hang around with for a whole week and just be cool.
Kamaru Usman via PBD podcast
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It was Usman’s stature as an MMA legend that created a friendship with O’Neal. Usman had reservations about O’Neal due to his stature as an NBA legend. However, upon spending time with O’Neal, Usman got to see the humble, likable O’Neal.

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Shaquille O’Neal owns the fast-food restaurant chain, ‘Big Chicken’. Usman recently served food at the restaurant to O’Neal in a hilarious video. O’Neal has also done similar things on multiple occasions.

Related: Tom Brady mistaken for ‘baseball player’ in HILARIOUS encounter with UFC star Kamaru Usman’s daughter

Shaquille O’Neill correctly predicted the Kamaru Usman victory at UFC 261

Shaquille O’Neal and Dana White previewed UFC 261 in an interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA. At UFC 261, Kamaru Usman headlined the PPV with BMF champion, Jorge Masvidal. It was a rematch of UFC 251’s main event. Usman won by unanimous decision.

UFC 261 Kamaru Usman knocks out Jorge Masvidal (Image via: Instagram)

During the ESPN MMA interview, Dana White asked O’Neal to predict the winner of the main event of UFC 261. This is what O’Neal said.

I like Usman. I like how he's just staying on the radar. He's a constant professional. I don't really see him talking trash. He's always in great shape and he always puts on a good performance for you. Reminds me of a great NBA player who knows and understands that....I'm going with Usman on that one because I don't really know the other guy.
Shaquille O’Neal via ESPN MMA
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O’Neal picked Usman to win at UFC 261. He cited Usman’s professionalism as the main reason for his pick. Moreover, he even compared Usman to an NBA legend, possibly Kobe Bryant. Interestingly, O’Neal’s prediction came true at the PPV. Usman knocked out Masvidal in a brutal fashion. It was Masvidal’s first knockout loss in the UFC.

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