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Kamaru Usman has been wanting to make Jorge Masvidal squeal for some time now, so you know “The Nigerian Nightmare” is giddy in anticipation of UFC 251, where the two men collide on Sat. night (July 11, 2020) in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
And while Usman is putting up his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight title on the line, “Gamebred” isn’t doing the same with his one-of-one “BMF” title. But if he were, Usman already has a special placed picked out on his mantle in his closet for it.
“They’re saying it’s a BMF — they’re really considering this a real title. Kind of like an interim thing, they’re really considering this a title,” said Usman on a recent interview with TMZ Sports (via The Mac Life).
“So you know what? After I go out there and beat his ass and ragdoll him, that shit is coming home with me so I can throw it in my closet.”
If Masvidal managed to negotiate a more lucrative contract to take the short-notice fight on “Fight Island,” Usman’s management should have at least considered trying to sway UFC to convince “Gamebred” to put up his belt.
Still, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is planning on leaving Abu Dhabi with a belt, his own, and last-minute change in opponent won’t change that.
“At the end of the day, when you’re in training camp, the way that I train, you see no face. At the end you see no face. I have to be ready that when I cross into that Octagon, I have to turn on the Nigerian nightmare and leave Kamaru Usman on the outside,” he added.
“And, so I see no face by the time I’m in there anyway. Now it’s a little extra push to go in there and really do some damage. It didn’t make no difference.”
Winner of 15 straight, Usman has been nothing short of dominant in all of his bouts, including running over Tyron Woodley to win the strap, and then becoming the first man to knock out Colby Covington in his first title defense at UFC 245.
Masvidal, meanwhile, had a 2019 to remember after reeling three impressive finishes over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz, whom he defeated at UFC 244 to win the “BMF” strap. And after initially opting to not sing on to face Usman as a result of financial squabbles with UFC, “Gambred” agreed to step in on six days notice after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19.
To see the latest UFC 251: “Usman vs Masvidal” fight card click here.