Kamaru Usman has potentially send Colby Covington out of the Ultimate Fighting Championship after a technical knockout win at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event.
The welterweight pair locked horns in the main event of UFC 245 at the T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday night.
Making his first title-defence since winning the 170-pound strap last March, the Nigerian champion admitted there is pressure to live up to fans’ expectations.
“There’s no pressure coming from myself. Of course, there’s always added pressure from fans because people are always looking to try to make you less than who you are and not give you that respect that you deserve,” Usman said.
“So yeah, in that sense there is pressure. But me personally, I know what I’m capable of, I know the level that I’m at and I know the heights that I’ve reached.”
“So, personally not but for everyone else and all the outside factors there is a bit of pressure.”
Biggest Fight For ATT
Covington, who has been at the receiving end of major criticisms earlier this week, is riding on a seven-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming at the expense of Robbie Lawler.
The contoversial fighter considers this title fight as the biggest for American Top Team and said this would be easy for him.
“Usman’s just the next guy up.”
“The next guy up for me to defend my title against. This will be my second title defense. Dan Lambert wants this fight more than any fight in the history of American Top Team.”
“Those are his famous words. Those are words that came out of the godfather, Dan Lambert’s mouth.
“This is the biggest fight in the history of the gym at American Top Team, just with Usman and all the guys from our gym that he’s beat.”
“It’s a massive fight for the gym. For me, it’s just another fight. It’s an easy fight for me.”
After going back and forth in the first four rounds, Usman caught the American in the ground in the final frame and finished him with flurry of strikes.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ remained undefeated in 10 UFC fights, which also includes huge victories against Tyron Woodley, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Demian Maia.
Meanwhile, Covington, who is planning to bring his talents in WWE, suffered his first defeat since 2015. This defeat is probably the last time MMA fans would see the American fighter in the UFC cage.
Check out the finish in the video below:
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington)