Kamaru Usman has no time for “stupid” 170-pounders who claim “The Nigerian Nightmare” is too scared to return to the new-look welterweight division, populated by hungry contenders like Shakvat Rakhmonov and Jack Della Maddalena, among others.
Here’s looking at you, Ian Garry.
“For those of you who keep thinking I’m not fighting because I’m choosing not to fight, like all these stupid fighters running their mouths saying, ‘Oh yeah, he don’t wanna fight me,’ shut your mouth!” Usman said on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. “No one is scared of any of you. I’ve been at the top of the division, pound-for-pound, with an iron fist spanking all of y’all for awhile.”
The former welterweight champ is still ranked No. 3 at 170 pounds.
“When I am healthy, I will get in there,” Usman continued. “I want to fight. 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, okay? Thank you. 2025 will be a great year for everybody.”
Well, almost everybody.
Usman (20-4), who many consider to be the greatest welterweight champion in history, has not competed since falling to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice bout at UFC 294 back in late 2023. The 37 year-old “Nigerian Nightmare” claims his time off has led to a slew of abuse, comparing his plight to that of heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones.
Usman’s return date has yet to be determined.
