Kamaru Usman explains why he is not apprehensive about Dricus du Plessis size difference just like the fans

Kamaru Usman believes the character of his next matchup means size won’t be as big of a problem.

Usman has said he didn’t know he was definitely fighting Dricus du Plessis until their fundamental event clash was made official just 4 weeks out.

Which means that ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ had little or no time to specifically prepare for a middleweight bout after previously campaigning for a welterweight title shot.

Fans highlighted the dimensions difference between Usman and Du Plessis of their first face-off, though the previous 170-pound champion isn’t concerned by this.

Who wins when Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman fight? 👊

Kamaru Usman says size can be an even bigger factor if he was fighting one other grappler at UFC Oklahoma City

Kamaru Usman held his own against Khamzat Chimaev when taking a middleweight matchup on short notice back in 2023.

After the best way that Dricus du Plessis lost his title to ‘Borz’ last trip, many will likely be expecting to see ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ lean on his wrestling background on July 18.

Following fan concern concerning the size difference within the fundamental event, Usman acknowledged that this can be a factor when speaking during fight week on his Pound 4 Pound podcast.

Nevertheless, the previous welterweight champion believes that being smaller than his opponent can be an even bigger deal if he was coming up against a grappler.

“It makes an even bigger difference if, let’s say, I’m fighting a full-fledged grappler/wrestler they usually’re an additional 15 kilos heavier than me,” Usman said. “Then absolutely that makes a difference because that’s a man that’s going to come up with you.

“He’s going to wear on you. He’s going to definitely try to tug you down and you might have to take care of that extra 15 kilos on top of you, on you. Yes, that definitely wears you down and drains you quicker but I’m the wrestler/grappler of all this.”

While Usman won’t think he’s fighting a grappler, du Plessis’ coach has said they’ll wrestle if their opponent doesn’t with a purpose to prove the purpose that they’ve corrected previous mistakes.

Kamaru Usman isn’t sure that he deserves a middleweight title shot with a win at UFC Oklahoma City

Considering his history with Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev, a win over a former champion will put Kamaru Usman in an awesome place at middleweight.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ said during his podcast on fight week that he’s obviously not going to show down a title shot if he gets offered one following July 18.

He did, nonetheless, acknowledge that Nassourdine Imavov specifically is a contender that will still deserve his opportunity as a result of the win streak he’s put together.

“I feel that Imavov must have gotten his shot already but I’m the identical way. I must have gotten my shot before I ultimately got my shot to fight for the title once I fought [Tyron] Woodley.”