Kamaru Usman is eager for his UFC return – but not until he’s healthy.
Although Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) hasn’t competed since a short-notice majority decision loss to middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023, his name has been in the headlines plenty of times.
Usman has recently been linked to a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov, accused of turning down Ian Machado Garry, and called out by Joaquin Buckley. The former UFC welterweight champion reiterates that he doesn’t care who’s next, but sent a big warning to the top contenders who continue to mention his name.
“This is the thing, while we’re coming into 2025, I just want to make this clear so everyone understands it: If we don’t fight, we don’t make money,” Usman said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo. “I like money. You like money. If I don’t fight, I don’t make money. Everyone keeps going, ‘Oh you’re not taking fights.’ I want to fight. I do. But if I’m not healthy, then I can’t do that to the best of my ability –to give you guys ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ who you’re used to seeing, that you guys want to see in that octagon.
“So for those of you who keep thinking that I’m not fighting because I’m choosing not to fight, like all these stupid guys, stupid fighters that are running their mouth saying, ‘He don’t want to fight me,’ shut your mouth. No one is scared of any of you.”
Usman may currently be on a three-fight losing skid, but he wants to remind everyone of his once-dominant reign, which included five title defenses as welterweight champion.
“I have been at the top of the division, pound-for-pound, with an iron fist spanking all of you for a while,” Usman said. “Listen, when I am healthy, I will get in there. I want to fight, and I can’t wait to fight to whoop one of y’all.
“So shut your mouth, all of you stupid welterweights. Shut your mouth, and wait for when I am healthy again. I’ll fight all of you. I don’t care. Just be patient, OK? Thank you. 2025 will be a great year for everybody, all right? All love and peace. Relax guys.”
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