UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman understands the challenges of being Conor McGregor.
Many fighters aspire to be like Conor McGregor, and understandably so. After all, it is desirable to have the name and drawing power to negotiate a multi-million dollar payday.
As we all know, “The Notorious” built his name up through the loud and brash persona he took on as he was climbing up the ranks. And while he may have achieved the fame and net worth that came along with it, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman feels the Irishman may have backed himself into a corner with the brand of showmanship he made himself known for.
“I know it’s hard being Conor. I know it’s hard,” Usman said in his recent guesting on the True Geordie podcast. “I’m a champion, and I know how hard it is to be a champion now. I can’t imagine what Conor’s going through. That’s got to be hard. You can’t do anything.
“People can’t wait to boo because now, people are just waiting to rub it in your face. Yes, of course, you’ve got the money, you’ve got all this you’ve got all that. But bro, you got knocked out in your last fight. And you’ve won once in your last four of five fights. People just can’t wait to throw that in your face.
“It’s a tough life to lead.”
McGregor will look to bounce back from his last fight at UFC 264 on July 10, when he faces Dustin Poirier for the third time.