Kamaru Usman believes individuals started tuning into his fights simply to see him lose.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is coming off of his first loss in almost a decade, surrendering his UFC welterweight title to Leon Edwards after ‘Rocky’ landed the ‘kick heard ’around the world‘ of their UFC 278 headliner. On Saturday night time, Kamaru Usman will get the chance to reclaim UFC gold as he as soon as once more squares off with Edwards in a extremely anticipated trilogy bout at UFC 286. Forward of their essential occasion showdown on the O2 Area in London, Usman spoke with former NFL standouts Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor on The Pivot Podcast.
Discussing his devastating loss to Edwards of their penultimate matchup, Kamaru Usman urged that his dominance contained in the Octagon turned followers towards him, main many viewers to observe solely with the hopes of seeing him lose.
“Whenever you’re profitable, it’s virtually like everyone seems to be sitting again ready so that you can lose,” Usman mentioned. “That’s what I believe the knock on Floyd Mayweather was. He was so profitable and excellent at his craft that folks purchased his fights simply to observe him lose. … As soon as it occurred to me, it was the kick heard ’around the world.
“The kick was the one weapon he used that labored. It was only a good kick. It was one thing that I knew that I didn’t do a superb job, or I didn’t do in addition to I ought to need to cease it. Nevertheless it was only a lovely kick. Hat’s off to him” (transcription by MMA Junkie).
Kamaru Usman Desires to Break Leon Edwards’ Spirit and His Soul
Up till Leon Edwards’ hail mary head kick KO, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was dominating their world title battle. Realizing that and carrying the arrogance of defeating ‘Rocky’ of their 2015 conflict, Kamaru Usman acknowledges that he might want to make some minor changes, however for probably the most half, it’ll be simply one other day on the workplace on Saturday.
“There are minor changes I’ve to make,” Usman mentioned. “However everytime you go right into a battle, there’s much more happening than what the general public can see. There’s lots that I’ve to battle by means of simply to make it to the battle. However that’s why I believe I’ve been profitable – as a result of if I don’t put myself by means of the hearth, then I don’t really feel as assured understanding that I can take care of something being thrown at me as soon as it’s time for actual.
“I’ve by no means been on this place, however I do know that mentally, nothing has modified for me. This is similar man that I beat up earlier than. He’s nonetheless going to be the identical man. I’ve to remind him who he’s straight away. … Once I battle guys, I battle their coronary heart as a result of I need to break their coronary heart. I need to break their spirit and break their soul.”
Leon Edwards has been understandably driving excessive since his spotlight reel-worthy knockout, however Usman has each intention of reminding him what occurred throughout the first 24 minutes of their UFC 278 contest, to not point out his 2015 victory.
“It’s going to be just a little bit harder this time,” Usman mentioned. “In his head, he forgot in regards to the 4 rounds earlier than the kick. He forgot that I used to be taking his soul, so I’ve to remind him that I’m somebody who took his soul twice.”
