Advertisement
MMA
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

UFC: Kamaru Usman welcomes Conor McGregor’s rumoured attempt to become first three-weight champion – ‘who am I to stand in the way?’

  • Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says Conor McGregor fight is not interesting as he ‘tapped at 145, 155 and 170’
  • The Nigerian-American wants to prove the Irishman is not a ‘mythical creature who can win three titles’

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Kamaru Usman turns to the fans as his title defence against Colby Covington is stopped by the referee. Photo: USA Today
Andrew McNicol

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman welcomes a challenge from combat sports Conor McGregor in the Irishman’s history-making attempt to become a triple champion.

Advertisement
McGregor, who previously became the promotion’s first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously, has yet to specify which weight division he intends to fight at next following his impressive TKO against Donald Cerrone at the 170 pound welterweight class earlier this month.

Usman (professional MMA record 16-1) defended his belt for the first time against Colby Covington in December last year. The Nigerian-American is considered to be a much heavier fighter than McGregor (22-4), who fought most of his career at the 155-pound lightweight or 145 pound featherweight divisions.

“The only reason we’re even talking about Conor is because he came out and said that he wanted my belt,” Usman said on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA podcast. “I don’t give a [expletive] about Conor. He’s been tapped at 145, 155, 170 … I don’t really care.

“Arguably it would be one of the biggest fights because he’s trying to make history, no one’s ever done [three belts],” said Usman, adding that incumbent lightweight champion has “been there, done that” after defeating McGregor in 2018.

Advertisement
Advertisement