Tag: UFC 261

Kamaru Usman Calls Fight Against Khabib ‘Biggest In UFC History’

Kamaru UsmanKamaru Usman thinks a fight between him and former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov would be the biggest in company history, but doesn’t think it will ever come to fruition. The welterweight champion is coming off his fourth title defense, handing Jorge Masvidal the first knockout loss of his career. While Dana White has said that […]

Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman thinks a fight between him and former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov would be the biggest in company history, but doesn’t think it will ever come to fruition.

The welterweight champion is coming off his fourth title defense, handing Jorge Masvidal the first knockout loss of his career. While Dana White has said that Colby Covington will be next in line for a title opportunity, the list of true contenders should Usman once again claim victory over ‘Chaos’ is beginning to look a little thin.

One man who could potentially pose a threat to Usman’s reign is the recently retired Nurmagomedov. He reportedly told White that he would only came back if he saw something “spectacular,” and it’s hard to frame Usman’s knockout as anything other than that.

While the champion is intrigued by the match-up and believes it would be the biggest in the history of the UFC, he told TMZ Sports that he doesn’t see it ever coming together.

“It absolutely would be the biggest fight in UFC history,” Usman said. “The problem is, it wouldn’t happen. That’s just hypothetical… and I’ve lost faith in this one as well. I think you have more of a chance of making Kamaru Usman and Georges St-Pierre happen before Kamaru Usman and Khabib Nurmagomedov. That one just won’t happen.”

Usman said that his performance against Masvidal will actually act as a deterrent for a St-Pierre fight. In fact, he believes his recent tear has a number of fighters second guessing their desire to step into the octagon with him.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of people in this line saying, ‘We want this guy,’” Usman continued. “There’s not a lot of people. More power to Georges. Georges is doing wonderful things, amazing things. I’m impressed, I’m so happy for him. Right now, I’ve said it before, I’m just blessed to be in this time, to really be maximizing my potential and just taking it in full stride. So, I’m blessed and I’m thankful. But these guys know that they definitely need to be worried, because you give me adequate time, everybody will be hurt.”

There is one last fighter who could potentially come out of retirement to challenge Usman for his welterweight throne: Nick Diaz. While it’s been over 6 years since the older Diaz brother last stepped into the octagon, many think he has the tools to cause Usman trouble. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ said he isn’t looking past Diaz just because of his lay-off and sounded genuinely intrigued by the idea of facing him one day.

“We don’t know (how Diaz is going to look)”, Usman said. “At the end of the day, if he got everything in order and he’s able to compete, that’s always a fun fight. Nick Diaz. Imagine, Nick Diaz at the top of the bill once more. Nick Diaz fighting for the title. That’s a humungous fight. Hopefully gets his faculties and everything in order, and if he’s able to do that, Nick is able to come in and do something spectacular… Of course, that’s always a fun fight.”

Is Kamaru Usman vs Khabib Nurmagomedov the biggest fight the UFC could make?

Jorge Masvidal Gives Props To Usman, Won’t Retire Without The Belt

Jorge Masvidal can’t help but give credit where it’s due, but if you thought his knockout loss meant he’s throwing in the towel on his career, you were gravely mistaken. At UFC 261, Jorge Masvidal suffered the first knockout loss of his UFC career at t…

Jorge Masvidal can’t help but give credit where it’s due, but if you thought his knockout loss meant he’s throwing in the towel on his career, you were gravely mistaken. At UFC 261, Jorge Masvidal suffered the first knockout loss of his UFC career at the hands of an unlikely culprit. It was the same […]

Chris Weidman Issues Statement on UFC 261 Leg Injury

Chris WeidmanUFC middleweight Chris Weidman has spoken out publically for the first time since his devastating leg injury he suffered against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. In a brief video message to fans, Weidman gave an update on his progress after undergoing surgery this past weekend at a Jacksonville hospital. He also says that he’s unable […]

Chris Weidman

UFC middleweight Chris Weidman has spoken out publically for the first time since his devastating leg injury he suffered against Uriah Hall at UFC 261.

In a brief video message to fans, Weidman gave an update on his progress after undergoing surgery this past weekend at a Jacksonville hospital. He also says that he’s unable to train for the next 6-12 months barring any setback in his recovery.

“I just wanted to let everyone know I’m so thankful for all the love and support,” Weidman said in an Instagram post. “Trying to find the blessing in disguise and the surgery was successful.”

Weidman suffered a torn Fibula and Tibia after throwing a routine right low kick against Hall just seconds into their fight at UFC 261. After throwing the kick, Weidman attempted to put weight back on his leg, but it collapsed from underneath him; ending the fight via TKO.

Weidman was hopeful about another middleweight title run in the UFC but those plans are on hold, at least for the immediate future. In his last fight, he earned a win over Omari Akhmedov at UFC Vegas 6 and looked to put on an impressive performance in his return to pay-per-view.

The 36-year-old has been on a bit of a rough streak since losing the middleweight title to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194. Weidman has now lost six of his last eight bouts in the UFC, including a knockout loss to Dominick Reyes in his only light heavyweight fight in the promotion.

Following the brutal finish at UFC 261, the MMA Community came together to wish “The All-American” well in his recovery. This includes messages on social media from Anderson Silva, Hall, Gilbert Burns, Conor McGregor, and others.

While it’s obviously tough to see a class act like Weidman suffer such a brutal injury, it’s encouraging to see the former middleweight champion in good spirits and trying to look at things in a forward-thinking way. It’s unclear whether or not this injury could be career-ending, but it appears he is already beginning to think about his eventual comeback to the octagon.

What was your reaction to Chris Weidman’s freak leg break at UFC 261?

Ben Askren References Karma When Commenting On Masvidal’s KO Loss

Ben Askren had to know that his active Twitter fingers would be anticipated after the KO of his nemesis Jorge Masvidal, so he went ahead and put them to use. By now, if you are not familiar with Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 239 KO of Ben Askren, then first, le…

Ben Askren had to know that his active Twitter fingers would be anticipated after the KO of his nemesis Jorge Masvidal, so he went ahead and put them to use. By now, if you are not familiar with Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 239 KO of Ben Askren, then first, let me welcome you to life as […]

Chris Weidman Has Successful Surgery Following Brutal Leg Injury At UFC 261

WeidmanChris Weidman is on the road to recovery. Weidman suffered a traumatic and brutal leg break just seconds into his middleweight encounter with Uriah Hall at UFC 261 last night. The former middleweight champion attempted a leg kick but it was checked by Hall as the leg immediately snapped with Weidman stepping on the injured […]

Weidman

Chris Weidman is on the road to recovery.

Weidman suffered a traumatic and brutal leg break just seconds into his middleweight encounter with Uriah Hall at UFC 261 last night.

The former middleweight champion attempted a leg kick but it was checked by Hall as the leg immediately snapped with Weidman stepping on the injured leg soon after in what was a cringe-inducing sight.

Weidman was stretchered out and taken to the hospital where he was set to have surgery in the morning. And fortunately, the surgery was successful and he seems to be in good spirits as his wife posted an update.

“Well that was horrible. Freak things happen in life and plans get crushed. It’s been a lonnnggg day but so happy to finally see this man of mine post surgery. Everything went well thank you Lord! Very thankful for the medical staff, UFC family @danawhite @reedharrisufc #allieraimondo, our management team @vaynersports @sarahzemonek and our family and friends here rallying to help with the kids.

“My heart breaks for my husband because I know the work and dedication that he puts into his training everyday and the great man that he is, so I only want the best for him. While this absolutely sucks in the moment and for some weeks to come, we are completely overwhelmed by the love and support we have far and wide and are very aware how blessed we are. All of that overpowers the awfulness of this situation. We are blown away by our friends and family offering to hop on flights to come help us without hesitation. We are so grateful and love you all!! It’s been a crazy year so far but us Weidmans are a force and covered in Grace and Mercy everyday! We were reminded this year how precious each day is and I am so thankful to be spending another day on earth next to my love even if it’s in a hospital room far from home. ?? #teamweidman”

Hopefully, Weidman has a speedy recovery.

Kamaru Usman Firmly Believes He’s The Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter Now

UsmanKamaru Usman believes there’s no better fighter than himself today. Usman successfully defended his welterweight title after an emphatic second-round knockout win over Jorge Masvidal in the UFC 261 headliner last night. It was particularly impressive given that he called for the fight as he wasn’t satisfied with his unanimous decision win over Masvidal last […]

Usman

Kamaru Usman believes there’s no better fighter than himself today.

Usman successfully defended his welterweight title after an emphatic second-round knockout win over Jorge Masvidal in the UFC 261 headliner last night.

It was particularly impressive given that he called for the fight as he wasn’t satisfied with his unanimous decision win over Masvidal last summer. And he certainly delivered.

“Absolutely (I knew I could knock him out),” Usman said at the post-fight press conference (via MMA Junkie). “There’s two setups to that right hand that I just envisioned them landing. That one was one of them. I tried the second one in the first round, but he’s a veteran. He’s game, and he saw it coming. I just had to stay composed, and I was going to find it.

“I’m satisfied. That’s what I said. I wasn’t satisfied with the last one and I wanted to be satisfied tonight, and I got to do that.”

It improved his record to 19-1 in the process as he remains undefeated in the UFC while he also extended the record for most consecutive wins at welterweight with 14.

An argument can certainly be made that he has surpassed Georges St-Pierre as the greatest welterweight of all time. As far as pound-for-pound status is concerned? Usman wants to see himself at the top when the rankings are updated on Monday.

“I have big, big goals for myself, and I want to see it on Monday,” Usman added. “Pound-for-pound, I’m the best fighter on the planet, and I just want to see that on Monday.

“I take it a fight at a time. If people want to consider me the best, then they can. But as of right now, I do believe that pound-for-pound I am the best fighter on the planet.”

Do you agree with Usman?