Usman names fighter who scared him

By Daily Sports Nigeria on June 24, 2024

Former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, revealed that Jorge Masvidal was the fighter who rattled him the most before entering the Octagon.

Despite being one of the most feared fighters in the welterweight division, Usman admitted to feeling afraid during his title run. The fighter who instilled the most fear in “The Nigerian Nightmare” was Masvidal, who had significant hype going into their first title fight in 2020.

Masvidal earned the 2019 ‘Fighter of the Year’ title with victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, becoming the UFC’s first-ever BMF Champion with a doctor’s stoppage TKO. His record-breaking 5-second flying knee KO of the undefeated Askren stood out as one of the most violent knockouts, leaving Askren unconscious for nearly three minutes.

“I say one of the most violent (knockouts) because of, he was out for almost like two, three minutes,” Usman said of Masvidal’s KO on ‘Pound 4 Pound’.

“He was out. I remember I was there. I remember watching like, ‘He’s still stiff. Not only is he out, but he’s still stiff.’ Then, all that happens, that was 2019 and then I think maybe a year later you and I fight…”

Usman and Masvidal first clashed at UFC 251 under “the craziest circumstances” after title challenger Gilbert Burns withdrew due to COVID-19. Masvidal replaced him on six days’ notice, flying across the world to fight Usman on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.

Although it was Usman’s third UFC title fight, the champion felt uneasy heading into this unexpected and risky title defense against Masvidal. The Askren knockout played continuously on every channel and social media platform, adding to Usman’s nerves.

“Of course, we get nervous for every fight, but one of the first times it got to me, everything around me got to me because, bro, they’re playing your viral knockout, one of the most viral knockouts ever,” Usman said of the Askren knockout.

“(Masvidal) f***ing gets to me,” Usman continued. “I’m like, ‘Oh s**t, is he gonna baptize me? What the f**k is it? I’m in a hotel and I’m super nervous for this, especially that – that moment before you go to the arena for the fight, and I’m in my room just like, ‘Why the f**k am I so nervous right now? Get it together…’ I would say that was probably one of the most nerve-wracking fights that I had.”

Usman overcame his fears to win a dominant unanimous decision over Masvidal at UFC 251. After going the distance with “Gamebred” in 2020, the welterweights met again in a rematch a year later.

Source Punch Ng

Posted June 24, 2024


 

You may also like...
Klopp Focused On Champions League Return

Ozil fires Arsenal to win over PSG

My father put me through hell says former...

Rohr Gets NFF’s Contract Proposal

Mahrez: I Don’t See Higher Than Man City...

Oshodi reveals plans for African table tennis

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,164 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,307 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,743 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,311 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,507 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,931 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media