Kamaru Usman arrived at Friday’s thirtieth anniversary Q&A in Las Vegas able to get again within the octagon, and he anticipated to be speaking a couple of struggle with Khamzat Chimaev.
Usman referred to as for the matchup following his loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in March after falling quick in his quest to regain the welterweight title. MMA Preventing’s José Youngs requested Usman about what occurred with a possible matchup with Chimaev — one which Dana White stated he’d be OK with so long as it was contested at middleweight.
“I’m good, I’m simply coaching, and falling again in love with my routine of coaching,” Usman stated. “The final couple of years have been type of chaotic — right here and there, right here and there — however I’m falling in love with the routine once more.
“Identical to [a lot of people], I believed I used to be going to be combating Khamzat, too. We’ll see what occurs.
“There’s a whole lot of logistical issues, not essentially on my finish of why it didn’t occur,” Usman continued. “Like I stated, I’m up right here, wanting good, feeling good. I’m able to struggle.”
If the struggle with Chimaev can’t come to fruition, Usman stated he’d love to present Conor McGregor one thing the previous two-division champ has been speaking about over the previous couple of years.
“Conor stated he’s all the time needed to struggle me at 170, in order that is smart,” Usman defined. “I’m not the champ anymore, so, hey, let’s do it.”
Usman was a long-reigning welterweight champion earlier than getting shocked by Edwards at UFC 278 this previous August by way of fifth-round head kick knockout. He hopes to sooner or later have his likelihood to struggle for the title once more, however he is aware of he has work to do.
Earlier than that may occur, Edwards is anticipated to defend his title towards Colby Covington a while this yr — a person Usman owns two victories over.
When requested concerning the matchup, “The Nigerian Nightmare” says he’s actually intrigued.
“It’s struggle,” Usman stated of the potential championship bout. “Each guys are very proficient, each guys current completely different challenges. I’ve whipped each of them, a couple of times, so we’ll see who wins that.”
