Kamaru Usman Says He Would Never Fight Khabib Nurmagomedov

Despite having one of the most perfect careers in mixed martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t have the distinction of being a double champ. If he would ever wish to achieve the same, the most obvious way would be to win a second belt at welterweight.

That would require fighting the current 170-pound kingpin, Kamaru Usman. However, Usman seems adamant about never pursuing Nurmagomedov as a potential opponent. While talking to TMZ Sports, Kamaru Usman showed zero interest in a potential fight with the lightweight champ.

“That’s not something I would ever pursue. The thing between me and Khabib is we have this respect for each other like we can always talk to each other like men. So, if that’s something that he was interested in and he came back and had a conversation with me like I wanna do that, you know that’s something we’d visit at that time,” Usman said.

Both Nurmagomedov and Usman have a common manager between them, Ali Abdelaziz. Consequently, the two share a mutual feeling of respect for each other. The two have also shared the stage together during Dominance MMA media day last year. However, fights between two fighters under the banner of Dominance MMA have taken place before.

Nurmagomedov’s last opponent, Justin Gaethje, and Usman’s next title challenger, Gilbert Burns, are also clients of Ali Abdelaziz.

Kamaru Usman believes a potential fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov will be a big one

Khabib Nurmagomedov shocked the world with his out of the blue retirement at UFC 254. Ever since then, there have been a lot of speculations regarding what could entice the Russian to return to the Octagon. Prior to UFC 257, Dana White said that Nurmagomedov would return if he saw something impressive. However, his reaction after this year’s first PPV has almost closed the door shut on his return.

In the last few years, the popularity of ‘The Eagle’ has grown by leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is yet to lose a fight inside the UFC. A former Ultimate Fighter, Usman has been steamrolling his way through the welterweight division. Hence, a fight between him and Nurmagomedov would surely make the audience tune in.

“Me, personally, that’s not something I would ever pursue. Absolutely not. Let’s just say that it will be a big one for sure, but that’s not something that I would go out there and pursue,” Usman added.

The welterweight champion is currently preparing for his UFC 258 headliner against Gilbert Burns. The fight has been in the making since June last year, but has failed to take place.

Read More: “You Have To Give Up”- When Khabib Nurmagomedov Trash Talked Michael Johnson at UFC 205