All articles tagged with #kamaru usman
Two former UFC champions, Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, collide in the UFC Oklahoma City headliner for Fight Night 281 at the Paycom Center, airing on Paramount+. Du Plessis, a former middleweight king, hasn’t fought since last August when he relinquished the title to Khamzat Chimaev, while Usman hasn’t competed since June, returning in a marquee matchup that pits a middleweight contender against a longtime welterweight champ.
UFC announced Dricus du Plessis will face former champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on July 18 at the Paycom Center. Usman is moving up to 185 pounds to pursue a second title, while Du Plessis returns to action after losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev. The event marks UFC’s first in Oklahoma City in nearly a decade.
Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman say UFC fighter pay is too low and should be shared more fairly across the roster, potentially via coordinated action by fighters and managers, in light of the seven-year, $7.7 billion Paramount broadcasting deal that spotlighted pay disparities.
Usman theorizes that Khamzat Chimaev may have outgrown middleweight and is pursuing Alex Pereira as part of a strategic move to a higher division, potentially chasing a title and opening a path for Nassourdine Imavov, portraying the situation as chess-like maneuvering rather than a straightforward title defense.
Kamaru Usman is advocating for a title shot, expressing interest in fighting the winner of UFC 322 between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, emphasizing his desire to reclaim his place at the top of the welterweight division and highlighting the significance of a potential fight with Makhachev for the UFC's future events.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 but didn't finish him, with Kamaru Usman suggesting Chimaev intentionally held back to conserve energy for future fights, as he is considering his next opponent among top middleweights.
Mohammed Usman, brother of Kamaru Usman, secured a crucial comeback victory at UFC Baku, ending a nearly two-year winless streak and potentially saving his UFC career, while Kamaru Usman also made a successful return to the octagon in Atlanta, showcasing his dominant wrestling skills.
Rose Namajunas led UFC Atlanta fighters with a $500,000 payday, earning $250,000 to show and $250,000 to win, while other notable payouts included Kamaru Usman at $300,000 and Cody Garbrandt at $275,000. The event featured significant fights with various fighters earning substantial sums, reflecting their performance and contract details.
Kamaru Usman returned to victory after 20 months, defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta and calling for a title shot, while other fights featured Rose Namajunas and Edmen Shahbazyan securing wins.
Kamaru Usman ended a nearly four-year winless streak with a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 69, ending a three-fight losing streak and sparking reactions from fighters and fans.
The UFC Atlanta event featured a main fight where Kamaru Usman faced Joaquin Buckley, with Buckley winning in a notable performance, and included other bouts such as Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick, along with preliminary fights showcasing various MMA victories.
The article provides predictions for UFC Atlanta, highlighting Kamaru Usman's return against Joaquin Buckley, with Buckley favored to win due to Usman's recent inactivity. It also covers other key fights, including Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick, Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski, and Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos, offering insights into each matchup and potential outcomes.
Kamaru Usman expressed concerns about Colby Covington's return to the octagon after a year-long hiatus, as he faces Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 63. Usman highlighted Covington's inactivity as a potential issue against Buckley's aggressive style, emphasizing the need for Covington to engage in wrestling and grappling early to counter Buckley's explosive starts. Despite these concerns, Usman believes this fight is a good opportunity for Covington to assess his standing as a top welterweight contender.
Colby Covington, ahead of his UFC Tampa fight against Joaquin Buckley, expressed his disdain for Kamaru Usman, labeling him a "cheater and a coward" during a Twitch stream. Covington, who has faced Usman twice, losing both times, accused Usman of cheating in their fights. Covington's rivalry with Usman stems from their past encounters, including a stoppage loss at UFC 245 and a close decision loss at UFC 268.
Kamaru Usman has expressed his willingness to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice at UFC 310, following Belal Muhammad's withdrawal due to a foot infection. Despite sharing a gym with Rakhmonov, Usman clarified they are not teammates and is open to stepping in as a replacement. Usman, who is on a three-fight losing streak, is eager to return to the octagon and potentially face Rakhmonov, emphasizing his readiness to take on challenges even with limited preparation time.