Kamaru Usman is looking for Jorge Masvidal’s blood after his successful title defense at UFC 258.
After beating Gilbert Burns in a third-round TKO in the main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Usman made it clear that he is a fight he is interested in above all else: a rematch with Masvidal.
Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) achieved a dominant unanimous victory over Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) at UFC 251 last July, but the fight did not live up to the expectations of many – including the champion himself – after meeting on only six days’ notice. Usman is not happy with that and wants to leave Masvidal a second time to leave no questions asked.
“He had a built-in excuse,” Usman told reporters, including MMA Junkie. We have tried to fight twice before; he said no. … He said no. The only reason he fought the fight on ‘Fight Island’ is because there was a built-in excuse. He practiced all the time, but he said, ‘Oh, I only had six days’ notice, so it went like this.’ Now guess what? I’ll give you a whole training camp and this time I’ll stop him. I promise you.
‘That’s why I was disappointed in myself the last fight, because I know I can stop him. But with all the circumstances that took place, I just went out there and dominated him from start to finish. This time I will stop him if he wants to act, but I assured you he does not want to. He’s going to be quiet. ”
There have been ongoing discussions about Masvidal’s next battle against former best friend Colby Covington. With Usman’s claim, however, there is a possibility that the promotion of gears is shifting.
However, UFC president Dana White was not committed but made it clear that he would at least listen to Usman’s request.
“There are a lot of options for him right now,” White said. ‘If it’s the fight he wants, and it’s the fight Masvidal wants, and I’m sure people want to see it too. … I do not know.”
Usman said he will eventually break down any obstacle placed in front of him, but it is clear that Masvidal is the most for him. If he gets his wish, he promised it would end worse for ‘Gamebred’.
“I’m going to put him in a coffin this time,” Usman said. “He does not want the fight. He does not want that fight. I guarantee he does not want the fight. I would not say it if I did not want it. Have I lied here yet? Have I lied to you for anything? Nothing. I said what I want to do, and that’s what I’m going to do. We’ll see if that materializes. ”