Defeat was lengthy uncharted territory for Kamaru Usman, however now he sits on a three-fight dropping skid after UFC 294.
Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) misplaced a majority determination to Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC)on Saturday at Etihad Area on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. He took the struggle on 10 days’ discover. If he had a full camp, Usman thinks issues would’ve been totally different. Preparation circumstance apart, he additionally acknowledges there are some issues he did fallacious regardless.
“You drop two razor-thin ones to Leon (Edwards) and it’s been some time,” Usman mentioned on the ESPN+ post-fight present. “You go years with out dropping, for an extended, very long time, by all of the arduous work. Then, you drop two shut ones like that. You begin to type of query issues and begin to doubt your self somewhat bit. You virtually overlook what it appears like. If something I can say I’d take away from tonight, it’s that I must belief myself extra, belief my coaches, and we’ll be again.
“I believe coming off the sofa in 10 days and preventing a younger, hungry bull like that, who’s massive and robust and had a year-and-a-half to actually develop into this weight class – and I didn’t. I didn’t belief my form. I’m a championship fighter, and you may’t begin gradual like that. I say give me a pair further rounds, I believe the world is aware of what that end result could be.”
The struggle at UFC 294 was Usman’s debut at middleweight within the promotion. Whereas the long run stays unclear, UFC president Dana White advised MMA Junkie and different reporters after the occasion he’s open to Usman competing in both weight class – whichever Usman prefers.
“That’s as much as him,” White mentioned at a post-fight information convention. “That man has achieved in any respect. If you take a look at his profession, take a look at what he’s achieved, he’s the best welterweight of all time. He doesn’t get sufficient credit score, stepped up, took this struggle at 185. No matter he needs to do, I’m good with.”
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