Kamaru Usman is looking to make a comeback this year itself after suffering consecutive losses against Leon Edwards at UFC 278 and UFC 286 which also cost him the welterweight title. Follow UFC News Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The former champion is now looking for fresh opportunities while he still holds the number one rank position in the 170 lbs division.
Kamaru Usman connected with TMZ and talked about his return timeline. He said, “I am shooting for you know this year, the fall. So we will see. I have already said, ‘Hey, I am ready to fight’ but the thing too is that it has to make sense.”
Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman’s desired opponent Khamzat Chimaev is now scheduled to face Paulo Costa at 185 lbs. Usman was given a chance to challenge Chimaev at middleweight.
However, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ declined the shot and justified it by comparing his achievements with Khamzat Chimaev’s in the sport of MMA. He also rejected to be a backup fighter for Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington welterweight title fight.
Amongst everyone, Usman now wants to face 7th-ranked welterweight Stephen Thompson.
He said, “The only guy to be honest that makes sense right now is ‘Wonderboy’ [Stephen Thompson]. Because he needs an opponent. Wonderboy, he has been around for so long and he is just that name to where it is always a great fight.”
“His style is very very difficult to fight. And you know, he is just one of those names that I never really got to fight in my era.”
Kamaru Usman avoided 3rd-ranked Belal Muhammad and went straight down to the 7th ranked for his next fight. Meanwhile, nothing is official as of now.
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How did Kamaru Usman Lose His UFC Title?
Kamaru Usman was on a dominant title run that was almost unshakeable until Leon Edwards arrived at UFC 278. Nevertheless, it wasn’t an easy way for ‘Rocky’.
Kamaru Usman dominated the UFC 278 main event for a brief moment and was winning on the scorecard. Leon Edwards was on the wrong end of a lopsided beatdown.
Everything changed in the blink of an eye as Edwards pulled off a head kick out of nowhere that sent Kamaru Usman into the canvas. Shocking the world, ‘Rocky’ became the new UFC welterweight champion.
Seven PPVs later, Kamaru Usman challenged Leon Edwards on the opponent’s turf at the O2 Arena. In front of his home crowd, Edwards successfully defended his bets via decision. He put an end to Kamaru Usman’s iconic title run at 170 lbs.
Also, Leon Edwards has now two wins over Kamaru Usman and a loss from 2015 that he has avenged already.
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