Kamaru Usman is after the blood of Jorge Masvidal after his successful title defense at UFC 258.
After hitting Gilbert Burns to a third round TKO in Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Usman made it clear there’s one fight he’s especially interested in: a rematch with Masvidal.
Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) took a dominant unanimous decision over Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) at UFC 251 last July, but the fight fell short of the expectations of many, including the champion himself – after getting together just six days in advance. Usman is not satisfied with that and wants a second try with Masvidal to leave no questions.
“He had a built-in excuse,” Usman told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after the fight at UFC 258. “That’s the only reason he got into that fight. We tried to make that fight twice before; he said no … He says no The only reason he got into that fight on Fight Island is because there was a built-in excuse He trained all the time, but he said, ‘Oh, I only had six days of before, so that’s why it went like this. ‘ Well guess what I will give you a whole training camp and this time I will stop him I promise you.
“That’s why I was disappointed in myself that last fight, because I know I can stop him. But with all the circumstances going on, I just went out and dominated him from start to finish. So this time I’ll stop him if he wants to get up, but I guaranteed you he won’t. He will be silent. “
There are ongoing discussions about Masvidal’s next fight against former best friend turned heated rival Colby Covington. However, with Usman’s question, there is a possibility that the promotion will switch.
UFC president Dana White was noncommittal, however, but made it clear that he would at least listen to Usman’s request.
“There are many options for him right now,” White said. “If that’s the fight he wants, and that’s the fight Masvidal wants, and I’m sure people would like to see it too.” … I do not know.”
Usman said he will eventually topple any obstacle placed in front of him, but it’s clear that Masvidal appeals to him most. If he fulfills his wish, he promised it would end worse for “Gamebred.”
“I’m going to put him in a coffin this time,” Usman said. ‘He doesn’t want that fight. He doesn’t want that fight. I guarantee he doesn’t want that fight. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t want to. Have I lied here yet? Have I lied to you about anything yet? Nothing. I said what I wanted to do, and that’s what I’m going to do. We will see if it becomes reality. “