Mohammed Usman made quite an impact with his stunning knockout over Zac Pauga to become The Ultimate Fighter season 30 champion but that win came at a cost.
It turned out that Usman had broken his thumb in the fight, but he was able to still use the same hand to land that punch to put Pauga away just second. It wasn’t until later that he realized his hand was actually injured, which then required him to undergo surgery to repair the damage done.
” I just returned to training, but not many people know that my thumb was surgically repaired after the last fight,” Usman explained to MMA Fighting. My thumb was broken during the [fight] fight, but it doesn’t hurt until adrenaline has worn off. They did an MRI and I ended up breaking my thumb and they had to reattach it with three screws.
“So people don’t see me in the Octagon anymore because I had surgery on my thumb. I put some screws there and let it heal. Then I had the screws taken out. I’ve been back to training, been back in camp so I’m feeling amazing now. Just ready to get back in that cage.”
According to Usman, hand injuries are nothing new to him, especially after playing football for most of his life including his stint in college at the University of Arizona. Putting three screws into his thumb is probably the most invasive procedure he’s ever had done but Usman says the gnarliest injury actually came from a football game he played in high school.
“The ring finger on the same hand that I broke the thumb on, I remember I made a tackle and it got stuck in the guy’s helmet and he twisted and my finger basically twisted all the way around,” Usman said. The [front] side was essentially on the other side.
“I ran to the sideline and the coach twisted it back and I ran back. This was old school. Today, they are very concerned about minor injuries. But back then, my coach said to get back in there. I ran in the opposite direction and completed the next tackle. This has been my practice for many years .”
While it was disappointing that Usman had to wait until the UFC booked his fight, Usman says that the extra time was a good thing.
Enduring filming and production on The Ultimate Fighter for the better part of two months along with three total fights — his win in the finale along with two more on the show — left Usman ready for a break.
“People do not understand how mental tough it is to be allowed to live in a house,” Usman stated. “It’s not just the fighting. It’s important to take on the people that you live with. On top of that, you have to prepare for the finale. This was stressful. There were many things happening in my head. People don’t understand how many times I fought last year.
” I went through quite a bit, but I am now ready and able to fight. It’s tough. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and it’s definitely made me a better athlete and a better fighter when it comes to MMA.”
Now, that the screws are out of his hands and he can train again, Usman said he is anxious to get back to action. However his main focus right now has been helping Kamaru Usman prepare to fight Leon Edwards UFC 286..
Usman will be traveling to London with his brother and then after that fight is finished, the attention will shift to him and his next fight in the UFC.
” I feel great,” Usman stated. “I’m currently in camp. Right now my brother is in camp, we are in Denver, Colo. Training. My feelings are actually great and my brother is in camp right now. We’re working with Ali Abdelaziz our manager to try to book a fight. Our time right now, we’re looking at early April.
” My brother is going to fight March 18, so we are focusing on him right now. He gets the job done and then I turn around and fight in early April. This is the ultimate goal, and it’s exactly what we are doing .”
.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/28/23574450/tuf-30-winner-mohammed-usman-reveals-surgery-delayed-his-return-to-the-ufc-now-targeting-april-fight?rand=96749
This website uses cookies.