Kamaru Uman doesn’t joke when he states that he would like to be promoted to light heavyweight to challenge for title after UFC 278..
Already considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA, Usman aims for the sixth defense of his welterweight title on Saturday. But if he gets past Leon Edwards, he said an immediate move up to 205 pounds is absolutely possible.
In truth, Usman appears to prefer this fight over any other fight within his division. This includes a meeting in the future with Khamzat Chimiev, who is next up against Nate Diaz at UFC 279.
” I think that any fight that we fight next will be huge,” Usman stated during UFC 278 Media Day. “I’ve already stated that I want that light heavyweight belt. It’s crazy for many people, but it is possible to believe that it can be done.
“I stated that I wanted it. After this win, [UFC President] Dana [White] and I will sit down and we’ll have a conversation.”
Much like Usman calling for a fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in boxing, the reigning 170-pound champion says he isn’t clout-chasing and just makes outrageous statements to attract attention.
Instead, the 35-year-old Nigerian born fighter insists everything he’s been teasing from a potential boxing match to a move up two divisions to challenge for a second title is absolutely want he wants to accomplish for his career.
“You guys think that I kid when I come up here?” Usman said. “I usually laugh when I’m kidding, but I’m not kidding. People thought that I was making fun of the entire ‘Canelo” situation. I wasn’t.
“I really wanted that. That’s what I wanted. It didn’t come to fruition then, who knows what the future holds but that light heavyweight belt. I’m not saying I would run through the division, don’t get me wrong, but at the top, I think I can get it done.”
At the moment, Jiri prochazka is UFC’s light heavyweight champion. All signs point to a rematch against Glover Teixeira, December.
It remains to be seen if the UFC would grant Usman’s wish, but he’s intent on at least approaching the subject with White after his fight is finished with Edwards. He doesn’t appear to be concerned about the logistical aspects of competing at 205 weight after his career as a Welterweight.
” I don’t have to gain weight,” Usman stated. People don’t get my death grip. I can get around you. It doesn’t matter if you are heavyweight or 205, I understand my strengths. I have an idea what I want to do in a fight, but I leave that up to my coaches.
“I have an approach of how I want to fight those fights in my head, which usually comes out when everything else is failing in the fight, I just f****** go. However I want to fight, I’m going to fight it. I will try to follow the coaches’ instructions. This is how y’all have it dialed in. I am going to succeed but, if all else fails, we can just go .”
It seems that Usman does not intend to spend the remainder of his career as a light heavyweight fighter, but he wants to fight in the larger division for the title. This will prevent him from having to fight Israel Adesanya (UFC middleweight champion).
As Usman stated, he’s not slamming the entire division as if he would just tear through everybody fighting at 205 pounds, which is why he is quick to reject the suggestion he could one day challenge Jon Jones, by far the longest-reigning light heavyweight champion in UFC history.
“We’ve got to chill with these scenarios now,” Usman said. “Nah, Jon is Jon, he’s big as hell, which is why he can easily make that transition to heavyweight. Jon is a great competitor, and I will try to make it work if the money’s right. Jon is an excellent competitor, and should be considered the greatest .”
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