UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has hit out at rival Jorge Masvidal and claims he knows who ‘Gamebred’ is, he just doesn’t deserve a title shot.
It comes after Masvidal, who is in poll position for a title shot, accused the Nigerian of ‘pretending’ not to know who the UFC’s ‘BMF’ was.
Usman’s latest title defence saw him destroy Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington’s jaw in the main event of UFC 245.
Next Challenge
Immediately after the emphatic victory against Chaos, Usman was asked about his potential next challengers.
But when Jorge Masvidal was mentioned, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ looked confused and responded ‘who?’.
Masvidal swiftly reacted by creating a video compilation of Usman acknowledging him in the past.
And Nightmare has now come back at Masvidal saying he knows exactly who ‘Gamebred’ is, he just doesn’t think he’s done enough.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Usman said: “He’s playing that angle that I’m saying I don’t know who he is.”
“I know exactly who he is and I’ve given him props.”
“That’s the one thing about me, I’m not a hater in any way, shape, form or fashion.”
“I give respect where respect is due.”
“Him fighting, yeah, I know him fighting but when they brought up you fight Jorge Masvidal next I’m like ‘who?’”
“There are guys that are more deserving [of a title shot].”
“Jorge Masvidal doesn’t have a win over anyone in the top six.”
“Does not have a win over anybody in the top six.”
“I’ve beaten five of the top six guys in the division.”
“That’s why I said that.”
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Not Enough
Masvidal is currently on a three-fight win streak, having chalked knockouts against Darren Till and Ben Askren before stopping Nate Diaz in November.
But Usman insists that it’s not enough to warrant a title shot.
Nightmare went on to address Masvidal’s video, and highlighted Georges St Pierre as an example of a more deserving contender.
“He’s putting out that video saying I don’t know who he is,” Usman said.
“I absolutely know who he is.”
“There’s just guys who are absolutely more deserving,”
“You’re telling me right now if Georges St-Pierre comes back, he’s not more deserving of that title shot than Jorge Masvidal?”
“Absolutely he gets it.”
“Of course I know who he is, but as far as him going out there with these antics like he’s more than deserving of a title shot, that he’s above a title shot.”
The Nigerian Nightmare says he’s now in a position where he doesn’t need to worry about getting fights as they’ll come to him.
He continued: “That’s why he’s talking about me and I don’t necessarily have to talk about him.”
“People are asking me about the things he’s said.”
“All of them, they’re playing in a sweepstakes to fight me.”
“That’s all it is,”
“That’s a beautiful place to be because now I don’t have to go beg and call him out on Instagram or Twitter.”
“All I have to do is stay put and the fights will come to me.”
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Likely Contender
While Masvidal does look the most likely contender for the welterweight title, the 35-year-old has also been looking to arrange a clash with Conor McGregor.
McGregor makes his UFC comeback against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone on January 18 and has revealed plans to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje in 2020.
Should ‘Notorious’ record his first win since 2016, a fight with Masvidal could also be on the cards.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal)