Kamaru Usman is choosing his fights rigorously, and he hopes followers perceive why.
In the event that they don’t, he has some not-so-friendly recommendation for them.
The previous UFC welterweight champion just lately acknowledged that he was obtainable to battle Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 after Rakhmonov was initially scheduled to battle present titleholder Belal Muhammad. “Bear in mind the Identify” was compelled to bow out of Saturday’s card with an harm, leaving a vacant spot on the promotion’s closing pay-per-view of 2024, and Usman mentioned he can be tremendous with preventing Rakhmonov on quick discover regardless that they’ve educated on the identical gymnasium.
Ian Machado Garry ultimately bought the decision to battle Rakhmonov, and apparently Usman has obtained some flack from followers for his determination. On his Pound-4-Pound podcast, he responded to the criticism.
“That is an intriguing battle,” Usman mentioned. “It is a battle that I used to be doubtlessly going to slip into. I’ve touched on this 1,000,000 instances, which is loopy to me as a result of I’m seeing on-line individuals like, ‘Aw, you scared? You ducking? You ducking? You scared? You scared?’ What?
“I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ This is identical sentiment that I really feel like persons are doing to Jon Jones. It’s identical to when individuals, the place you’re followers or followers of a fighter don’t get their desired want that they need, ‘That’s the battle I need,’ then it’s like, ‘That man have to be scared as a result of he didn’t take the battle.’ Like, guys, shut up. Shut up. We step in there every time—I’ve 22 or 25 fights, I don’t know what number of fights, however you suppose everybody, ‘Oh, you scared.’ World champion and defending belts time and time once more, ‘Oh, he’s scared.’ Shut up. Simply since you didn’t get what you needed. Guess what, it’s like your mother telling you, ‘No, you may’t have that toy in the present day.’ So shut your mouth.”
Usman has not fought since UFC 294 in October 2023. At that occasion, Usman went up a weight class for a short-notice bout with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. After a sluggish begin, Usman rebounded to offer Chimaev a troublesome contest, although he went on to lose by majority determination.
It’s unclear what Usman’s subsequent transfer shall be as he appears to finish a three-fight dropping streak (that features two title battle losses to Leon Edwards), however he sees a path the place he ultimately shares the octagon with Rakhmonov or Garry.
“Truthfully, placing on my skilled hat, I can see a world the place Ian Garry will get this one completed, however I don’t actually care a lot for each guys so I don’t actually care,” Usman mentioned. “I’m not choosing. Whoever it’s, sooner or later I’m going to should see and I’m going to should do what I do, however I don’t actually care. However I can see a world the place Ian will get it completed. Shavkat is excellent and really harmful, however I can see a world the place Ian will get it completed.”
Usman avoided choosing a winner for the UFC 310 co-main occasion. Nevertheless, he warned that the extremely anticipated battle of undefeated welterweights won’t stay as much as the hype from an leisure standpoint.
“I’m not hating in any manner, form, type, or vogue, I like the battle on paper, however I don’t suppose it’s going to be as thrilling as individuals suppose,” Usman mentioned. “Persons are anticipating blood and this and that. I don’t suppose it’s going to be that as a result of Ian Garry is a great fighter that’s prepared to only dance round for half-hour. He’s going to bop round. He’s prepared to try this with a purpose to crate the house that he desires with a purpose to attempt to land his strikes.
“Shavkat, not essentially. Shavkat’s going to play the sport with you for slightly bit, however Shavkat sooner or later goes to need to get going, so if Ian doesn’t need to get going, we all know it takes two to tango. If Ian doesn’t need to get going, that battle won’t be the massacre that everyone’s anticipating, all people’s craving and going ‘ooh aah,’ however on paper I believe it’s a unbelievable battle and any individual’s O has bought to go.”
