“I’m Not Gonna Lie I Walked Away” – Kamaru Usman Says He Almost Gave Up on Fighting in the UFC

Kamaru Usman is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC and the current welterweight champion in the promotion. He is one of the most dominant fighters in the world. He will be entering the octagon against at UFC 268, to defend his title for the fifth time. Usman, right now, has the second-longest winning streak in UFC history.

However, at one point in his life, he had doubts about competing at the UFC. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was a wrestling coach for Team Miller in the 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter. In a recent interview, he opened up about how he felt after going back to his wrestling camp after the season.

Usman said, “I remember, just as you mentioned 2011. Having the pleasure of working on a show like The Ultimate Fighter and actually seeing what these UFC fighters would go through. I’m not gonna lie. I walked away, and I said, I’m never doing that. I walked away, I went back to the Olympic training center, and I said I’m not doing that.

“It was just looking at the lifestyle, looking at how tough that show was and looking at how you guys have to train. And to go into these fights and I was just like, I don’t know if I want to do that,” he added.

However, Usman and the MMA world are glad that he pursued MMA professionally.

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Kamaru Usman – The Journey

‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ is one of the most known and dominant fighters in the world. He is the current UFC welterweight champion and has defended his title four times already.

He is a former freestyle wrestler and wrestled collegiately. Usman made a switch to MMA in 2012 and had a 5-1 record before being picked up for The Ultimate Fighter in 2015. The Nigerian fighter won himself a six-figure UFC contract after beating Hayder Hassan in the season finale. Since then, he has fought 13 times and is still undefeated.

Usman earned a shot at the welterweight title going on an eight-fight win streak. He dominated the then champion Tyron Woodley for five-rounds and won the fight via unanimous decision. Since then, while being on a winning streak, he has constantly improved his game. His striking has improved massively and is much more comfortable on his feet now.

His next fight is against longtime rival Colby Covington at UFC 268. Covington proved to be his toughest test yet in their previous fight, and this rematch, many believe, will also be as good as the first fight.

What do you think of Kamaru Usman’s journey? Let us know your thoughts!

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