Latest news with #TheNigerianNightmare
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Kamaru Usman reveals moment that took him 'over the edge' prior to fighting Gilbert Burns
Kamaru Usman reveals moment that took him 'over the edge' prior to fighting Gilbert Burns Kamaru Usman says he dealt with the most emotional camp of his career while preparing to fight his friend, Gilbert Burns. Usman, who was UFC welterweight champion at the time, was caught off guard when longtime training partner Burns called him out after beating Tyron Woodley in May 2020. It was during the time Usman was seeking help from Trevor Wittman, and he felt that his gym, Kill Cliff FC, was taking sides when it came to his fight with Burns. Usman and Burns ended up being matched up in a title fight at UFC 258 in 2021, which "The Nigerian Nightmare" won by third-round TKO. Although it was hard for Usman to deal with the emotional build-up, there was one particular moment that helped motivate him to beat Burns. "All of these things were festering, and then I see posts and then what really took me over the edge was watching the 'Countdown,'" Usman said on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast with Henry Cejudo. "He was walking with Pedro and Josh. They were walking along maybe some little canal, and they're talking, and he asked them – and I love Pedro. I used to love playing with Pedro when he was small, and he says, 'Who's going to be the new champion?' And Pedro and Josh were like, 'Daddy.' "'Who's going to take this belt?' And they were like, 'Daddy, you're going to take the belt.' It just hit me in my heart. I don't know why. Like I say, athletes at the highest level. You find little things to motivate you. I don't know why it triggered me, but it hit me in a way where I was like, I love that little boy. I play with him all the time and the whole time, you start getting paranoid. I'm like, 'The whole time y'all were plotting to take my title, take food away from me'" As soon as he finished Burns, Usman yelled, "Taking what from who?" However, immediately after, the emotions started kicking in for Usman as he watched a deterred Burns in tears. The training partners ended up embracing. "Once the fight took place, it didn't hit me until right after at the end of the fight," Usman said. "I'm being animated, and I'm up, and I'm up and then, out the side of my eye, I see Gilbert down here and then I see my coach, Trevor was like, 'Yeah, fight's over.' I see him and it hit me like, 'Bro, that's my boy, that's my friend,' and I just got crushed."
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kamaru Usman breaks silence on Belal Muhammad's UFC 315 defeat
Kamaru Usman breaks silence on Belal Muhammad's UFC 315 defeat (Image Source: Getty Images) The former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, expressed his disappointment after Belal Muhammad was defeated by Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 . Fans were surprised by the outcome, and Kamaru Usman, who has a mixed past with Belal Muhammad as a welterweight, also felt the result personally. After the fight, Kamaru Usman spoke about the rollercoaster nature of the sport, saying that even though he and Belal Muhammad have a history, he wanted Belal Muhammad to achieve title glory. The Unexpected Defeat That Shook the Welterweight Division Kamaru Usman's response was triggered by Jack Della Maddalena's complete victory over Belal Muhammad, which cost the previous champion his title and his unbeaten status. White's subsequent announcement that Belal Muhammad sustained a broken nose, orbital bone fracture, and split lip made clear how tough the match had been. Even though he and Muhammad have a history of conflict, Kamaru Usman reacted thoughtfully to Muhammad's defeat. During a recent conversation with Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman said, "I couldn't be happy he lost because we hadn't fought each other." In his remarks, Kamaru Usman showed a strong sense of the competitive environment, noting that their unresolved conflict could still be a highly appealing bout for fans. Kamaru Usman's Insight into Muhammad's Strategic Misstep The Nigerian Nightmare critically examined Belal Muhammad's approach and proposed that his opponent's arrogance was what led to his defeat. Kamaru Usman pointed out that Muhammad's self-labeling as the 'Canelo hands' challenger, plus his aversion to wrestling, seemed to favor Jack Della Maddalena's strengths. Usman pointed out that Jack Della Maddalena appeared like the champion on the night, which reflects the psychological dimension of high-pressure bouts, according to him. From the commentary, it seems that Muhammad's emphasis on striking may have underestimated Jack Della Maddalena's abilities. Given that Muhammad's title defense ended early, and with Kamaru Usman set to fight Joaquin Buckley on June 14, the welterweight division continues to be full of surprises. Kamaru Usman's next bout at UFC Atlanta is expected to be a key event in his career path. Also Read: Who is Jack Della Maddalena? Exploring the newly crowned UFC welterweight champ's personal life and others The welterweight landscape continues to evolve, with Kamaru Usman remaining a central figure in potential future title challenges and exciting matchups.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joaquin Buckley prepares for next move after Kamaru Usman: 'There are no stars in the UFC'
Joaquin Buckley prepares for next move after Kamaru Usman: 'There are no stars in the UFC' Joaquin Buckley sees big opportunities if he can take out a former UFC champion in impressive fashion. Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) meets Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) June 14 in the UFC on ESPN 69 headliner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The streaking knockout artist thinks the UFC is in dire need of a star, and sees himself being the one to step up. Buckley explains why he is rooting for welterweight champion Belal Muhammad to beat Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 315 headliner on May 10 in Montreal. "I always like to prepare for that next move," Buckley said in a video on his Instagram. "Once I beat Kamaru Usman, my mentality and where I want to go is to get that belt. Pray Belal is the one that wins because if he doesn't win, if JDM wins, I already know the UFC got different moves that they're trying to do. So I'm hoping Belal wins. Once he wins, knock his ass out, and then go ahead and proceed to be the biggest star in the UFC. "Right now, the big talk is that there are no stars in the UFC right now, and if there are, they either lost or fumbled the bag in some type of way. So I really feel like this is my opportunity to really show up and show out. Yet again, I've got to go into that cage, get my hand raised – but not only get my hand raised, go out there and dominate this man and get the knockout that I know that I can get." Buckley got his wish of drawing Usman. After he stopped Colby Covington by TKO in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner this past December, he turned to the crowd to chime in on who he should face next. Of the three names he mentioned, Usman got the loudest pop and Buckley will indeed be the one to welcome "The Nigerian Nightmare" back in the cage.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Announces Massive UFC Atlanta Main and Co-Main Event with Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas: Everything You Need to Know
As we approach the end of the first half of 2025, UFC Fight Nights have been a mixed bag of exciting undercards, a couple of notable headliners, and plenty of fights designed to keep the roster busy. Admittedly, while not every event has been must-see, these non-pay-per-view events serve as a proving ground for up-and-comers and a last-chance for fading veterans. UFC President Dana White announced today, through his Instagram live, a stacked UFC Fight Night main event and co-main event set for June 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images The headliner will feature former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman returning to the Octagon against surging contender Joaquin Buckley, while the co-main pits two-time strawweight queen Rose Namajunas against rising flyweight Miranda Maverick. Advertisement Kamaru Usman steps back into the cage after an 18-month layoff, seeking to snap a three-fight skid that includes a short-notice loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight in 2023. Once dominant at welterweight with five title defenses, "The Nigerian Nightmare" now faces a pivotal test against Buckley, who has rattled off six straight wins since dropping to welterweight in 2023. Buckley's recent TKO of Colby Covington and viral knockout power make him a dangerous foil for Usman, who must prove he still belongs among the division's elite. While the welterweight belt will be on the line in a fight between current champion Belal Muhammad and challenger Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May, the Usman-Buckley winner could position themselves for a late-2025 title shot. The co-main event offers a compelling clash of trajectories at women's flyweight. Advertisement Rose Namajunas, a former strawweight champion, aims to rebound from a November 2024 loss to Erin Blanchfield, while Miranda Maverick rides a four-fight win streak into the biggest opportunity of her career. Namajunas, who, according to Maverick, was once her mentor and training partner, now stands as her hurdle to the top 10. Both women will vie for relevance in a flyweight division set to crown a champion at UFC 315, where Valentina Shevchenko defends her belt against Manon Fiorot. With six weeks until fight night, the outcomes that will take place in Atlanta could reshape two divisions in one night. Related: Dustin Poirier Vs. Max Holloway 3 Fight Date and Location Set Related: Former UFC Signee Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison For Organized Crime Ties
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joaquin Buckley draws former champion Kamaru Usman in June UFC Fight Night 257 headliner
Joaquin Buckley will get his wish after calling out a former UFC champion. Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) takes on ex-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 257 main event June 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The promotion officially announced the matchup Friday evening. Buckley sought help from the crowd on who he should face next after stopping Colby Covington by TKO in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner this past December. Amongst the three options he mentioned, Usman got the loudest pop, and Buckley went with it. The 30-year-old is unbeaten in the octagon since dropping back down to 170 pounds, finishing four of his six opponents. Usman will return after an almost two-year long layoff. "The Nigerian Nightmare" is on a three-fight losing skid, most recently dropping a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout at UFC 294 in October 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by UFC (@ufc) With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 257 lineup includes: Joaquin Buckley vs. Kamaru Usman Miranda Maverick vs. Rose Namajunas Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy Tereza Bleda vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joaquin Buckley draws ex-champ Kamaru Usman in UFC Atlanta headliner
