Kamaru Usman final fought within the UFC in October 2023 towards Khamzat Chimaev. “Borz” completely dominated the primary, as he had Usman’s again for essentially the most half and was both touchdown unanswered pictures or attempting for submissions.
The previous UFC welterweight champion bounced again within the second and third rounds, although. He received a number of hanging exchanges and didn’t permit his opponent to do something efficient with takedowns.
As followers around the globe eagerly watch for his return, Usman revealed his learnings from his final combat and why it wasn’t a five-rounder…
Kamaru Usman Missed The Alternative To Make Khamzat Chimaev Struggle A 5-Rounder Due To Lack Of Confidence
Usman mentioned his final loss to Chimaev on the Weighing In podcast, hosted by John McCarthy and Josh Thomson. Straight away, “Nigerian Nightmare” remembered that he had misplaced an in depth determination to Leon Edwards six months earlier and was stepping in to combat on 10 days’ discover.
“That was the problem. And that’s why Trevor, my coach Trevor Wittman tells me on a regular basis that I’m top-of-the-line, if not one of the best, at constructing in a combat and for the primary time in a very long time, I didn’t belief myself and my talents as a result of that combat, it might’ve been a five-rounder.”
Though he had fought in 10 consecutive five-round UFC fights at this level, Usman averted asking the promotion to make the Chimaev combat a five-rounder too. This was primarily as a result of he didn’t belief his potential to face up to a 25-minute bout and not using a correct camp.
Nonetheless, Usman admitted to not being glad with the choice loss to Chimaev. This was an eye-opening second for him, as he made positive to belief himself once more. He additionally seemed again at his coach Trevor Wittman’s remarks who proudly claims Usman to be top-of-the-line in getting higher in fights over time.
“I wasn’t coaching as I’d be if I had a combat and I went by means of a camp and so, with that being mentioned that, I didn’t belief myself in that sense. So then you definitely get in a combat and I understand I haven’t fought a three-round combat in, I don’t bear in mind final time I fought a three-round combat. So, I’ve constructed myself as much as get able to the place you may construct over the course of 5 rounds. And so now that it’s not that, it was very very tough for me to be okay with that outcome.”
From the appears to be like of it, Usman has had sufficient time to rejuvenate bodily and mentally after shedding the UFC welterweight championship. In his return, he would possibly combat for the title once more or goal to avenge his loss to Chimaev in a five-rounder.
