With formidable wrestling skills and an iron mentality, Kamaru Usman was very rarely intimidated, but one rival really got under his skin.
In a historic welterweight run, the ferocious fighter solidified his place as one of the greatest welterweights of all time. However, even the best have to overcome the psychological barrier of setting foot in the cage with someone capable of rendering you unconscious at any second.
Jorge Masvidal was the most intimidating opponent Kamaru Usman ever faced
Back in 2020, Kamaru Usman was riding high at the top of the welterweight tree. With tremendous victories over Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns, many were beginning to make a case for the Nigerian being one of the best in the history of the weight class.
Blessed with an unrelenting will to win, Usman proved his status as a hardworking fighter, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. However, he couldn’t help feeling the nerves of the occasion when he went toe-to-toe with Jorge Masvidal.
After all, at the time, ‘Gamebred’ was on a remarkable run of form. After rendering Darren Till unconscious, the Miami brawler destroyed Ben Askren with the most terrifying flying knee the sport of MMA has ever seen. And it was that brutal finish that sent shivers down Usman’s spine.
Regardless, in a testament to his powers of self-belief, the former champion maintained his composure and won a dominant decision, followed by a second-round KO in the rematch two years later. And with the dust now settled, he’s welcomed Masvidal onto his Pound 4 Pound podcast for a candid discussion, in which he opened up about how the Askren KO made him feel before their titanic clash.
Usman said: “I say one of the most violent [knockouts] because he was out for almost two or three minutes. I was there. I remember watching like, ‘Oh s***, he’s still stiff. Not only is he out, but he’s still stiff. Then, all that happens, that was 2019, and then I think maybe a year later, you and I fight.
“Of course, we get nervous for every fight, but one of the first times it got to me, everything around me got to me because, bro, they were playing your viral knockout. One the most viral knockouts ever.
“They’re playing that thing every freaking minute on every channel everywhere, on all the socials everywhere. I’m like, ‘Oh, this guy’s trying to come in on six days notice’. Now, I’m trying to make the mental switch. ‘Oh, I’m gonna be fighting a different style. He’s [got] fast hands. He’s a good counterpuncher.’
“I’m trying to picture all this, but I’m seeing this every day. They’re asking me in every interview, how are you gonna deal with this? I’m watching your interviews and you’re [saying] ‘I’m gonna baptize this guy’.”
“[Masvidal] f****** gets to me. I’m like, ‘Oh s***, is he gonna baptize me? What the f*** is this’? I’m in a hotel and I’m super nervous for this, especially that moment before you go to the arena for the fight, and I’m in my room just like, ‘Why the f***am I so nervous right now? Get it together.’ I would say that was probably one of the most nerve-wracking fights that I had.”
The rivalry between the pair is still one of the most revered in UFC history, with the two fights doing 1.3 million and 700,000, PPV buys respectively. And while Usman has since lost his championship belt, he’s a long way from done with the sport, with the grappler keen to work his way back to the pinnacle of the mountain.
What will Kamaru Usman do next?
The former champion hasn’t competed since losing via decision to Khamazat Chimaev in October 2023. But while he didn’t emerge victorious, his tremendous display of heart and guts, in the division above the one in which he’s made his name, proved he still has a lot left to give.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that the UFC remains keen to match him with the top contenders at welterweight.
In a recent documentary, ‘Fight Inc: Inside the UFC’ Dana White, and matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby were captured discussing a potential collision between Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
The conversation took place in front of Ali Abdelaziz and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who disagreed on what the former welterweight champ’s next move should be. While Usman’s manager suggested Stephen Thompson as a possible fight, ‘The Eagle’ made a compelling case for the Rahkhmonov clash.
Since the broadcast of the episode, Usman has come forward to give his stance. And unsurprisingly, he’s willing to get in the cage with anyone.