Kamaru Usman heard Joaquin Buckley say his title and he has a solution for the up-and-coming welterweight contender.
Following his win over Colby Covington at UFC Tampa this previous Saturday, Buckley used his post-fight interview time to name out numerous 170-pound notables, together with Usman, Leon Edwards, and Belal Muhammad, with Usman standing out from the pack.
On his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman responded to the callout, emphasizing that he’s open to combating Buckley and anybody else, however it will likely be on his schedule.
“I really feel like the recent chick on the bar, all people needs a bit,” Usman stated. “It’s nearly like nobody’s listening to what I’m saying. Nobody’s getting what I’m saying. I don’t care who it’s. Shavkat [Rakhmonov], Belal, Ian [Machado Garry], Buckley, ‘JDM’ [Jack Della Maddalena], I don’t care who it’s. One factor that I gained’t do as a result of I’ve accomplished it for therefore lengthy and an excessive amount of, which is partially why I’m having to take this layoff, is compete after I’m not prepared. When I’m wholesome, I don’t care who it’s.”
Usman was in attendance at Amalie Area to get a close-up take a look at his longtime rival Covington and his potential subsequent opponent Buckley. For a lot of the competition, Buckley dominated Covington within the standup, however the bout got here to an finish earlier than the championship rounds when a physician dominated that Covington couldn’t proceed resulting from a bloody gash over his proper eye.
From what he noticed, Usman believes he matches up properly with Buckley.
“I keep in mind watching the Buckley battle and I used to be drained from the entire card, however I keep in mind watching going, ‘Oh, I like that battle. I actually like that matchup,’” Usman stated. “Covington took him down a few occasions. Clearly, me and Covington make the most of the wrestling in a different way and the way we strategy fights. Most individuals know after I take you down, you’re not getting up until I would like you to stand up, and so it’s totally different.
“I keep in mind watching the battle and I’m going Buckley did nice. Initially, shout out to Buckley, he did nice for with the ability to undergo a man like Covington. With Covington having that lengthy layoff, I don’t understand how he’s going to point out up, however all people is aware of because the battle will get later, Covington will get somewhat bit extra comfy, so it was going to be how fast he was capable of get the ring rust off and get going. Buckley didn’t actually permit him to try this.”
Usman lately responded to criticism from followers over not accepting a short-notice bout with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 after beforehand suggesting he was open to stepping in to avoid wasting the bout following the withdrawal of welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. He needs to make it completely clear that he’s not solely keen to face anybody, he plans to overcome the division once more.
“I don’t thoughts who it’s,” Usman stated. “It’s like nobody is listening to me. It looks like each week we get on right here and I’ve to do that, nobody’s listening. Once I’m wholesome, I’ll whoop each one in all y’all, it doesn’t matter who it’s. I’ve gone via the division after which I began going via the division once more, so it doesn’t matter.”
Ought to a battle with Buckley not be within the playing cards, Usman has a suggestion for the streaking contender that has now gained six straight bouts since dropping right down to 170 kilos: a matchup with Ian Machado Garry.
Garry was initially imagined to battle Buckley in Saturday’s essential occasion, however was moved to UFC 310, the place he misplaced a aggressive resolution to Rakhmonov. Previous to that, Garry had gained his first 16 fights together with eight UFC appearances, so Usman thinks it is smart for them sq. off to remain in title rivalry.
“[Garry] may not need to [re-book Buckley], however you’re probably not able to only say, ‘Oh no, I don’t need to,’ particularly you’re coming off of a loss,” Usman stated. “You’re probably not able to say that. You need to get again to the title and I believe Ian says he needs to get to the title, that is the street proper right here. You go forward and cease a man that’s on a streak, which Buckley is on a streak.”
