via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman poses on stage during the UFC 245 press conference at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2019 in New York, New York. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman poses on stage during the UFC 245 press conference at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2019 in New York, New York. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Kamaru Usman retained his throne at UFC 261 as the UFC welterweight champion knocked out Jorge Masvidal in an emphatic fashion. Colby Covington is touted to be next in line for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’.
Usman is building his own legacy in the UFC and has laid his claims to be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. And with Khabib Nurmagomedov retired and Jon Jones inactive, he might just be the best UFC fighter at the moment. Recently, in an interview with TMZ, Usman opened up on a potential showdown between him and Nurmagomedov.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ welcomed the idea but acknowledged it is only hypothetical and the chances of the fight actually happening are slim to none.
“It absolutely would be the biggest fight in UFC history. But the problem is, it wouldn’t happen. That’s just hypothetical. I think you and I’ve lost faith in this one as well. I think you have more of a chance of making Kumar Usman and George St. Pierre happen before Kamaru Usman and Khabib Nurmagomedov happen. That one just, that one just won’t happen,” said Usman.
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after his victory over Gilbert Burns of Brazil in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Usman and Nurmagomedov are both part of Dominance MMA. Both fighters are managed by Ali Abdelaziz, and neither of them has lost in the UFC. So, it’s understandable why fans want to see that fight happen. But given their close bonding and the fact that ‘The Eagle’ is now retired, it seems unlikely for them to ever throw down.
Kamaru Usman welcomed the possibility of a potential showdown against Nick Diaz
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Former Strikeforce welterweight champion and UFC veteran Nick Diaz was in attendance at UFC 261. UFC President Dana White has confirmed the older Diaz brother is looking for a fight and he is willing to give him one. Usman is also more than willing to fight the Stockton native if the latter stays relevant.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: Nick Diaz taunts his opponent in their middleweight bout during the UFC 183 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“We don’t, we don’t know that. We don’t know that. At the end of the day, if he if he got everything in order, and he’s able to compete. That’s always a fun fight. Like Nick Diaz. Imagine Nick Diaz at the top of the bill. Whats more? Nick Diaz fighting for the title. That’s a humongous fight anywhere. So it’s just hopefully he gets his faculties and everything in order and if he’s able to do that, and Nick is able to come in and do something spectacular. Of course, that’s always a fun fight,” said Usman.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Diaz last fought at UFC 183 in 2015. Whom he faces upon his return to the Octagon remains to be seen. But a fight involving him will always be entertaining, for sure.
