UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman after UFC 258 said he would like to give Jorge Masvidal his rematch but looks like he has changed his mind again.
Following his win over Gilbert Burns at this past Saturday’s UFC 258, the reigning welterweight titleholder brought up the idea of a rematch with “Gamebred,” and it seems to be quickly gaining traction. While nothing has been signed yet, Usman said his motivation is twofold.
Kamaru Usman reveals why he wants to rematch Masvidal
First, Usman said he’s been harboring a little frustration inside from a few comments he heard Masvidal make following their meeting at UFC 251. That famous “Fight Island” clash saw Masvidal step in on one week’s notice but come up short in a five-round decision – a result the challenger thinks he could reverse if given ample preparation.
“I said put some respect on my name for a reason,” Usman said at the UFC 258 post-fight press conference. “That fight, he had a built-in excuse. That’s the only reason he took that fight. We tried to make that fight twice before. He said no. When Khabib [Nurmagomedov] and I think it was [Tony] Ferguson fell out, we tried. I called Dana [White] and I said ‘hey, it’s two weeks’ notice, I really haven’t been training but I’ll step in if you need me to’ and they tried to make that fight but Masvidal said no.
“He interviewed where he said ‘oh the numbers weren’t right and this and that.’ He’s been saying no. The only reason he took that fight on Fight Island is that it was a built-in excuse. He was training the whole time but he’s saying ‘I only had six days’ notice, that’s why that went that way.’”
That mutual respect seemingly faced in the weeks and months after that event ended and now Usman is more determined than ever to fight Masvidal again to prove he’s the superior fighter.
“’ Oh I took the fight on six days’ notice, give me three weeks and see what I’ll do.’ I’ll give you a whole training camp,” Usman said. “This time I want to stop him for real because I think that’s the only thing that’s going to close his mouth. Pretending walking around here like he’s Jesus or something. Well, I’m going to put him in a coffin this time.
“This time I will stop him. I promise you. That’s why I was disappointed in myself that last night because I know I can stop him but with all the circumstances that took place, I just went out there and dominated him from start to finish. This time I will stop him if he wants to step up.”
Well, four days later and Usman is no longer feeling the same — which didn’t come as a surprise to the American Top Team product.
That’s what I thought. Full camp he says nope! Got cold feet when you heard we said yes #freebritney https://t.co/zVDPlFFHrM
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 20, 2021
“F*ck it I’m not feeling generous anymore. Anyone can get it #AndStill” Kamaru Usman tweeted with a trio of emojis.
“That’s what I thought. The full camp he says nope! Got cold feet when you heard we said yes #freebritney” Masvidal quickly responded.
Masvidal hasn’t fought since losing to Usman. It’s uncertain if that rematch will come to fruition next for both fighters, but UFC president Dana White seemed open to the potential rematch at the UFC 258 post-fight press conference.
Purchase the UFC merch here.
To bet on an MMA event click here.
Also Read:
SHARE
