On today in 2021, the UFC welterweight champion was challenged in ways he could have never expected.
All signs are pointing towards Kamaru Usman being Islam Makhachev’s first title challenger for the welterweight belt.
There was loads of pushback to this potential matchup as a result of the opposite contenders which are in the combo at 170 kilos.
Nevertheless, a matchup between Makhachev and Usman, who faced off with each other last month, might be the most important fight that could possibly be made within the division straight away.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ may not be on a hot streak, but he’s earned loads of favor with the UFC as a result of what he was capable of accomplish as a champion.
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Kamaru Usman rallied to beat Gilbert Burns in an incredibly emotional UFC title fight
After he was capable of overcome his fierce rival Colby Covington to defend his welterweight title in 2019, Kamaru Usman’s next challenger took him by surprise.
Gilbert Burns was on a formidable win streak, and didn’t let his close friendship with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ stop him from politely calling for a title shot after he beat Tyron Woodley.
The 2 teammates were forced to go their separate ways with a view to prepare for a clash that will eventually happen at UFC 258 on today in 2021 following several delays.
When joined by Burns on an episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast last 12 months, Usman recalled that it was an incredibly emotional training camp for him and admitted that competing against someone he knew thoroughly made him paranoid.
The intensity between them before the opening bell sounded stays one of the crucial memorable images of the UFC Apex shows throughout the pandemic.
While the challenger began the fight thoroughly, winning the primary round on all three scorecards, Usman rallied and went on to stop Burns within the third to secure one in all his biggest wins.
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Kamaru Usman recalled being ‘crushed’ at the top of his fight with Gilbert Burns
The added emotion that went into his preparations for UFC 258 all got here out once the referee stepped in between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.
It’s not unusual to see a wave of various feelings suddenly overcome a fighter at the top of a bout, but this was very true for the defending champion.
“Once the fight took place, it didn’t hit me until right at the top of the fight,” Usman recalled on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. “I’m being animated and I’m up and I’m up after which, out the side of my eye, I see Gilbert down here after which I see my coach, Trevor, saying, ‘Yeah, fight’s over’.
“I see him and it hit me like, Bro, that’s my boy. That’s my friend. I just got crushed.”