Kamaru Usman News

Justin Golightly - January 12, 2018

A giant specimen with natural strength and constantly evolving skills. Six UFC fights, all finishes, complete with an action movie-style knockout over Alistair Overeem. This is Francis Ngannou. The next big thing. The monster who is walking into the Octagon in a week against Stipe Miocic, a fight the heavyweight champion says himself that the UFC wants him to lose. However, can Ngannou fulfill all of the UFC’s prophecies? Francis Ngannou thinks he can and he will, in two rounds at UFC 220 in Boston. “I’ve never been in that level but I always train for that level. When I go to my training camp, I train my conditioning, everything, I prepare [for] a regular fight, for the regular round fight. Even the fight against Alistair Overeem, I was already prepared for five rounds because I knew I was going to have Stipe [Miocic] after that. That is the problem because people always want to believe what they see.”

Justin Golightly - January 12, 2018

Kamaru Usman is frustrated to say the least. He’s campaigned for the better part of a year for higher ranked names to test himself against, but the fights never got booked. All of the big fights he’s wanted have either passed him by for some reason or another, or have been taken by Colby Covington. So, make no mistake that going into his fight this Sunday against Emil Meek, he’s going to fight the man who was willing to step up, but he’s not taking his eyes off of bigger things. Sooner or later, he believes he and Covington will have to fight. Not just because the natural progression of the rankings, but because it is written in the book of fate. “It’s a fight that has to happen. It’s a fight that has to happen because I believe this is fate. This fight has been written. How much of a small world do we live in? I was a little boy born in Auchi, Nigera, in a country full of over 200 million people, in a small farm town. To get to the point where I immigrate here, I’m in America, to where I get to college and I cross paths with the people that I have. Let’s just summarize this a little bit: Me and Jon Jones crossed paths senior year of high school. We met at senior nationals, a big wrestling tournament, and after that, we became friends. ‘Hey, I’m going to go to school in Iowa next year.’ He said, ‘I’m going to go to school in Iowa [too].’ That’s great. We stayed in touch.”

Tom Taylor - December 18, 2017

For weeks and weeks, the status of Kamaru Usman and Emil Meek’s anticipated welterweight scrap has been uncertain. Originally, the fight was scheduled to occur at UFC 219, on December 30 in Las Vegas. Regrettably, it became known that Norway’s Meek was having a difficult time acquiring a US visa, which shrouded this contest in doubt. At that point, Usman claims to have been offered a replacement fight with fellow welterweight contender Colby Covington, which he claims Covington turned down. From there, Meek secured his visa in time for his visit to the US, assuring that he’d fight on Usman at UFC 219 after all, but apparently it was too little too late. The fight was removed from UFC 219, while multiple reports suggested it would likely be rescheduled for UFC 220, which goes down on January 20 in Boston.

Tom Taylor - December 13, 2017

Though it’s still an undeniably strong card, UFC 219 has not had an easy go. Ever since it was announced, the December 30 card has been rocked, rattled and reassembled by injuries and other issues, and this week, the trend is continuing. According to Ariel Helwani, the card is now down one welterweight contender clash, as the 12th-ranked Kamaru Usman’s scrap with Emil Meek is being rescheduled for UFC 220, which goes down January 20 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tom Taylor - November 15, 2017

Originally, rising UFC welterweight contender Kamaru Usman was expected to battle the dangerous Emil “Valhalla” Meek at UFC 219. Unfortunately, it sounds like visa issues could force Norway’s Meek out of this planned showdown – which means Usman will have to look elsewhere for a dance partner. Just received information that my visa is having some delays and that he UFC might have to re-schedule my next fight :/ #betsafe #ufc219 pic.twitter.com/afta292YiN

Justin Golightly - November 14, 2017

Kamaru Usman, along with all the fight fans looking forward to UFC 219, have simply not had the best of luck. There is no main event, Dominick Cruz is off the card and now Usman’s opponent Emil Meek will not be making it to the card due to a Visa issue. After Usman aired his grievances of multiple opponents ‘ducking’ leading up to the now-canceled fight, it’s easy to see how the surging welterweight is frustrated. Luckily, the game Darren Till has stepped up and wants the fight. I guess I wasn’t lying… @emilvalhalla for stepping up. Now everyone else can get back to @ColbyCovMMA @darrentill2 @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2017

Earlier this month, we learned that streaking welterweight contender Kamaru Usman had been paired with Norwegian knockout artist Emil Meek for a fight at UFC 219. Now, however, Usman is claiming this bout is in jeopardy, as Meek might not be able to make it to the event. Usman also claims the UFC has reached out to Colby Covington to replace Meek. My opponent might not be able to make it Dec30th so @ColbyCovMMA let me hear your excuses now why you can’t make it either

Justin Golightly - October 20, 2017

With seven welterweight match-ups booked from now until the end of the year, it was curious that Kamaru Usman became the odd man out. He didn’t find it that confusing though, he actually thought he knew the answer. The fact of the matter is, Usman thinks he hasn’t got a big name opponent because those would-be challengers knew they didn’t have a shot. It’s only fitting that the only guy who rose to the occasion is a viking. That’s right, Usman has been booked to fight Emil Meek at UFC 219. BREAKING: Kamaru Usman (@USMAN84kg) vs. Emil Meek (@emilvalhalla) added to #UFC219 in Vegas (December 30th) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/OBtKgPXA91

Tom Taylor - September 28, 2017

11th-ranked UFC welterweight contender Kamaru Usman has been looking for a fight, and from the sounds of it, he’s found one. On Wednesday afternoon, the grappling specialist announced on Twitter that his fans want to see him fight Neil Magny, and that he intends on heeding their calls. In his Tweet, he suggested UFC 218 on December 2 and UFC 219 on December 30 as possible dates for this potential scrap.

Tom Taylor - September 25, 2017

Over the last few days, several rumors have surfaced suggesting that rising UFC welterweight contenders Kamaru Usman and Mike Perry might soon collide in the cage. On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, however, Usman assured that there’s nothing in the works with Perry, and that he’s instead keen on a fight with former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. Kamaru Usman’s issues with Anjos stem from the Brazilian’s rapid rise through the welterweight rankings – something he does not feel is justified.

Tom Taylor - September 17, 2017

Last night, on the main card of UFC Fight Night 116 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, rapidly rising welterweight contender Kamaru Usman picked produced a thunderous, first-round KO win over the dangerous Sergio Moraes. With this win, “The Nigerian Nightmare” further established himself as one of the brightest young contenders in the UFC welterweight division. In his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, Kamaru Usman sought to capitalize on this growing reputation with a callout of former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, who now stands out as one of the top contenders at welterweight.

Chris Taylor - September 16, 2017

A welterweight scrap between Sergio Moraes and Kamaru Usman took place on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 116 main card in Pittsburgh. Usman was able to land multiple heavy shots early and often in round one before he eventually face-planted Moraes with this massive overhand right.

Tom Taylor - January 17, 2017

Undefeated Blackzilians staple Kamaru Usman is one of the fastest rising prospects in the welterweight division. He also understands the value of a good, old fashioned call-out, which is why he’s recently campaigned so hard for a fight with Demian Maia. Unfortunately for Usman, Maia politely turned down his offer for a fight. Having accepted Maia’s rejection, Usman has now set his sights on another top welterweight grappler: Dong Hyun Kim.

Tom Taylor - November 22, 2016

Last Saturday, on the main card of UFC Fight Night 100, streaking welterweight Kamaru Usman dominated Warlley Alves to a lopsided, unanimous decision win. It was one of the best wins of his already impressive career. In the moments after his defeat of Alves, Usman sought to catapult himself up the welterweight rankings with a callout of the streaking Demian Maia. Unfortunately for him, Maia wasn’t particularly interested in this callout. Given that he holds the welterweight division’s number three spot, while Usman is not yet ranked, that’s not particularly surprising.

Tom Taylor - November 20, 2016

On Saturday night, the UFC touched down in sunny Sao Paolo Brazil with UFC Fight Night 100. Over the course of the 12-fight card, we witnessed a handful of truly impressive performances. One of the most applause-worthy of the bunch was Kamaru Usman’s three-round domination of the highly regarded Warlley Alves. Relying not just on his incredible grappling skill, but also on a vastly-improved standup game, Usman dominated his Brazilian foe from bell-to-bell, earning himself a sound, unanimous decision win as a result. These days, fighters are often criticized for their reluctance to take advantage of the opportunity to issue callouts in the wake of big wins. This was not a problem for Usman. After a brief discussion of his performance with Octagon-side commentator Jon Anik, Usman attempted to earn himself a big step up in competition with a callout of the welterweight division’s third-ranked fighter, grappling wizard Demian Maia. Not only did he assure he could defeat Maia, he also promised that he’d stop him in the first round.