Kamaru Usman Comes Clean on Refusing to Make Colby Covington Fight Look ‘Pretty’

It seems so long ago, yet the memory remains fresh of when the world of MMA was divided into two sides in a blockbuster rivalry and a fight that was one for the ages. When Kamaru Usman went to war against the challenger to his welterweight championship, Colby Covington, not a single fan could remain seated. At UFC 245, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the MMA community witnessed not only a legendary fight but also everything that came with it; the drama, the passion, and so many emotions!

The fight concluded with Usman as the victor after he finished ‘Chaos’ by TKO at the end of the fifth round, with 50 seconds to go. But after witnessing one of the greatest fights in UFC history, the crowd stood up in respect to them both and gave them an ovation. While reminiscing on his victory, Usman sat down with his close friend and former 185-pound division king, Israel Adesanya, and co-host of Pound 4 Pound, UFC legend Henry Cejudo. Usman, in a rather honest display, admitted he could’ve kept the fight prettier and less emotional, as he revealed that Covington looked better in the early rounds.

“I think in that first fight with Covington, I just, I could have made it pretty. I could have tried to land a clean strike, but I was just content like, ‘Nah, we got to thump,’ you know. Let’s rumble, let’s rumble, and I just remember coming in the fifth round and I’m I’m saying my affirmations in my head and I’m looking at him, he’s there, he’s looking good and I’m just like, ‘No, no, not today.'”, Kamaru revealed he was put on alert by Covington’s intensity. As ‘Izzy’ went forward to ask Usman about his affirmations from the fight, we got a glimpse of why ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was able to hold the welterweight throne in his reign for so long.

“Okay, yeah, I just remember looking at him and because he had landed. I was surprised how good his boxing was, like he touched me a few times. And the shots that you wouldn’t think buzzed me, buzzed me. And the whole time in my head I’m like, ‘You can’t f** with me, you can’t f* with me.’ And I’m looking at him, I know what else I’m attaching to it and why he can’t f* with me.”, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ stated after being asked by ‘The Last Stylebender’ about his affirmations.

He added, “But I’m saying that to myself, you can’t f** with me, but I just remember that feeling of not caring. What’s happening? I get hit, I get hit, but Imma hit him back. Imma hit him worse. That feeling right there, I’m not gonna lie, I want it, and that’s why that’s you feel so alive, you know.”

MMA: UFC 278- Usman vs Edwards, Aug 20, 2022 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Kamaru Usman red gloves before the fight against Leon Edwards blue gloves during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports, 20.08.2022 22:24:13, 18905975, NPStrans, Kamaru Usman, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeffreyxSwingerx 18905975

While praising his bitter rival for his surprisingly good boxing skills, Usman also took us back to the T-Mobile Arena and replayed the final minutes of their fight. While one may take a moment to acknowledge Usman’s performance, it also sheds light on Usman’s never-give-up mentality. His mentality to come back stronger and hit harder than his opponent surely played a big role in his past and may well in his future, too.

Can Kamaru Usman’s affirmations help him recapture the 170-pound division throne?

Kamaru Usman is currently on a three-fight losing streak while two of them came at welterweight against the same opponent, Leon Edwards. We’re not sure how he will do against the new rising welterweights and even the champion, Belal Muhammad. Kamaru Usman’s mentality played a key role in his generational run with a 15-fight win streak and beating the likes of Jorge Masvidal (twice) and a prime Tyron Woodley. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ evolved his fighting as he started as a wrestler and then consistently improved his striking.

Usman’s championship mentality is seriously one that has to be put among the best, at UFC 258, he had to fight a close friend in Gilbert Burns who he was able to finish in RD3. An MMA fighter surely has to put their physical strength to the test in every fight. But since gaining momentum, Usman’s mental strength, too, was tested in every fight. A fighter who has made a reputation on proving his doubters wrong, its quite unfair to count out ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ just yet.

Remember when he fought Khamzat Chimaev as a last-minute replacement, in a weight class above, no less? ‘Borz’ couldn’t mount an effective assault on him, despite rag dolling Usman in the first round of their fight at UFC 294. By round three, Chimaev looked like he was starting to fade while ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ seemed like he was coming into his own. Who knows, if that fight had continued for five rounds, Kamaru Usman could have probably been the first man to beat the Chechnyan fighter.

With rumors of a second title shot for the Nigerian fighter on the horizon, Usman must be focused on getting back to his unstoppable mentality and recapturing his throne. There’s a slim possibility Usman could also end up with a no.1 contender’s fight, considering he is still ranked #3 in his division.

And with a fresh set of opponents ready to go at it, Usman just has to say yes to a fight and win. Knowing the pedigree of the 170-pound division’s top-tier fighters, a win over any fighter in the top 5 can lead Usman to a title shot. But seeing he was the last true defending champion there, there’s a slim chance may just clash with Belal Muhammad next. What do you think is next for Kamaru Usman? Let us know in the comments.

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