Kamaru Usman laments his slow start and lack of confidence in his recent fight against Khamzat Chimaev, attributing it to his two previous close losses and the short notice of the fight, but he remains determined to continue and potentially pursue a middleweight title.
Kamaru Usman’s recent fight against Khamzat Chimaev marked a significant change for him as it was his first three-round bout in years. Prior to this fight, Usman had competed in 10 consecutive five-round fights since 2018. Unfortunately, Chimaev emerged victorious with a majority decision, leaving Usman emotional and reflective on his performance. Usman expressed regret over his slow start and lack of confidence, which he attributed to his previous losses to rival Leon Edwards. He acknowledged the need to trust himself more and embrace the guidance of his coaches.
The defeat against Chimaev extended Usman’s unprecedented losing streak, following his back-to-back losses to Edwards. During their last fight, Usman was close to securing a decision win when Edwards landed a devastating head kick in the final minute of the match. Edwards ultimately won by majority decision, giving him a 2-1 lead in their trilogy. Against Chimaev, Usman struggled in the first round, unable to defend against Chimaev’s powerful wrestling and submission attempts. Usman acknowledged the short notice of the fight, stating that he didn’t have adequate time to prepare for Chimaev’s grappling assault.
Following this loss, Usman faces uncertainty regarding his next move. It is unlikely that he will receive another shot at the welterweight title while Edwards holds it. However, an unsuccessful middleweight debut might not be appealing to Usman either. Despite this, Usman hasn’t ruled out the possibility of venturing into the middleweight division. He mentioned the idea of taking on a middleweight contender, possibly aiming for the opportunity to become a “champ champ” by defeating the current champion, Sean Strickland.
Usman admitted that there are many questions surrounding his future, but he emphasized the importance of believing in himself, trusting his team, and returning to the gym. Despite the setback, he is determined to regain his confidence and make a comeback in the sport. Usman acknowledged the toughness and skill of Chimaev, acknowledging that he plans to continue working hard and staying active in the sport.