“He Was a Normal Cool Dude” – Ben Askren Explains Why ‘Fraudulent’ Kamaru Usman Can’t Get Any Fans

Retired UFC welterweight fighter Ben Askren explained why the champion Kamaru Usman cannot attract fans.

Originally, character development was limited to the pro wrestling industry. However, over time, it has made its way into MMA and the UFC. Fighters like Colby Covington and Henry Cejudo made a name for themselves by putting up unique personas. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren claims that Kamaru Usman is trying to do the same but isn’t great at it.

Ben Askren calls Kamaru Usman a ‘fake’

In a chat with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Askren recalled his wrestling days with Usman. “Funky” gave a glimpse of Usman’s personality while they were at the ‘Olympic Training Center’ in Colorado. He said that Usman as a “normal cool dude.”

“This is the whole contention I have, Ariel. He was just a normal cool dude. We all stayed at the dorms, we all hang out. You could pass each other, I mean you go to the same practice every day. You’ll eat in the same dining hall.

“There are only two lobbies in the dorm. Everyone is very interactive. You can’t act like a poser and act all hard there because people would eat you up, you know? I mean, they would make fun of you, they would tease you.”

He then explained how Usman’s personality changed after he joined MMA. Askren claimed that Usman is putting up an act, and people can see right through it.

“Then he goes to MMA, and all of a sudden he has this persona that he’s the hardest dude ever and he’s so cool… It’s fake. Everyone sees that it’s fake. That’s why he can’t get fans. Cuz, we know it’s fraudulent. It’s not real.

“And that’s why I was so annoyed. That’s why I said, ‘That’s not the dude that you were.’ Like you came to MMA, you thought that you had to be this other person. But people are seeing through it.”

Fake or not, Usman is one of the best welterweights on the planet. Almost a week ago, he defeated Jorge Masvidal to retain his welterweight strap at UFC 251. “The Nigerian Nightmare” extended his winning streak to 16.

Ben Askren tells why people love Jon Jones

As the conversation progressed, Askren revealed why fans love Jon Jones despite all the controversies. The former Bellator champion feels that people like Jones because of his authenticity.

“We love the real Jon Jones. He’s just a real dude. He makes mistakes, he says some mean things. He’s a little bit arrogant. But you know what? He was the youngest UFC champion ever.”

He backed his argument with an example from Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier 2 press conference.

“I was so annoyed when Jon Jones started acting like an a**hole to DC and people were booing DC.”

Do you agree with Ben Askren’s take on Kamaru Usman and Jon Jones?