Almost Reducing to Tears, Kamaru Usman Losing on “Razor-Thin” Margins Gives His Honest Assessment on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294- “Big and Strong”

UFC 294 has just concluded and we have our set of winners. The main card of the event was one of the most competitive fights in UFC history. Khamzat Chimaev retained undefeated status, firming up his name for the coveted middleweight title race. Kamaru Usman’s future, on the other hand, looms in the dark alleyways of the UFC. With three consecutive defeats, it will be a challenging journey for the warrior to bounce back and overcome these setbacks.

The Nigerian Nightmare’s career has been in the doldrums due to his back-to-back defeats to Leon Edwards. And this was his opportunity to set the course in the right direction. But Chimaev’s brutal force seems to have stopped Usman once again, leaving him confused about his upcoming future.

Kamaru Usman talks about his loss against Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev was supposed to fight Paulo Costa at the UFC 294 event. However, an uncertain injury sustained by Costa with a follow-up surgery forced him out of the race. And Kamaru Usman had to step up to fill the gap. Usman only had 10 days to prepare for the match and go through a rigorous weight-cut process.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ stepped up on just 10 days’ notice to replace Paulo Costa. Competing with minimal preparation, the former UFC welterweight champion not only showcased his skill in a different weight category but also faced off against one of the most daunting opponents the sport has ever seen.

Despite Usman’s utmost effort to secure a victory and turn his career, it was Chimaev who emerged victorious. In a post-fight interview session with ESPN, Kamaru Usman expressed his sadness over his consecutive defeats. He added, ” You know, you drop two razor-thin ones to lean, and it’s been a while. I mean, you go years without losing for a long, long time by all the hard work, and you drop two close ones like that. It starts to kinda question things, and you start to doubt yourself a little bit, and you know, you almost forget what it feels like. “

He further added, “But, you know, if anything that I can take away from tonight is that I need to trust myself more, trust my coaches, and I will be back, you know? I kept coming off the couch in 10 days and fighting a young and hungry one like that, who was big and strong and had a year and a half to really grow into this weight class… I’m a championship fighter. And you can’t start to slow like that. I say, ‘Give me a couple of extra rounds’… the world knows what that result might be.”

It must have been difficult for Usman to face such haunting defeats one after another since he was undefeated until he met Edwards.

Kamaru Usman’s career till now

The Nigerian Nightmare’s career has been one of the best in the entire UFC. Usman is probably the best welterweight fighter to have ever graced the UFC. His career has been like a rollercoaster ride. Since the day of his debut, Usman has been claimed to be an unstoppable warrior.

Read More: Dana White Reveals Fate of Sean Strickland Title Fight After Khamzat Chimaev Broke His Wrist Fighting Kamaru Usman at UFC 294

Kamaru Usman enjoyed a prosperous career in the UFC. He was undefeated and had a record of consecutive wins until he met Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in 2022. Edwards not only dominated Usman but defeated him with a knockout kick, thus snatching the welterweight championship belt from him. And since then, Usman’s career has turned around. Edwards again defeated Usman in a follow-up rematch, thus defending his title. And with a loss to Khamzat Chimaev recently, Usman is on a losing streak.

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