Usman labels bout with Khabib as 'the biggest fight in UFC history'
Kamaru Usman labels potential bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov as ‘the biggest fight in UFC history’ but admits he has ‘lost faith’ that explosive showdown will ever happen with unbeaten Russian having retired
- Kamaru Usman is keen for Khabib Nurmagomedov to come out of retirement
- Usman has labelled a potential bout with Khabib as ‘the biggest ever’ in UFC
- Khabib stepped away from the Octagon after beating Justin Gaethje in October
- And with the unbeaten man still away, Usman has admitted he is ‘losing faith’
Kamaru Usman has labelled a potential fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov as ‘the biggest’ ever in UFC but admits he doubts it will happen.
Usman is on course to become perhaps the greatest welterweight king after devastating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 – and a showdown with the undefeated Dagestani is a mouth-watering prospect.
However, Khabib retired in October after beating Justin Gaethje, having promised his mother he would step away from the Octagon, and appears adamant that he will not return in the future.
Kamaru Usman has labelled a potential fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov as ‘the biggest’ ever
Fresh from his stunning knockout triumph over Masvidal, which was sealed with an explosive right hander in the second round, the bullish Usman admitted he is keen for Khabib to come back.
‘It absolutely would be the biggest fight in UFC history,’ Usman told TMZ.
‘But the problem is, it wouldn’t happen.
Usman also admitted that the bout is unlikely with Khabib retiring after beating Justin Gaethje
‘I’ve lost faith in this one. I think you have more chance of Kamaru Usman and Georges St Pierre happening before Kamaru Usman and Khabib.’
‘That one just won’t happen.’
Usman underlined his fearsome credentials of being ‘the best in the world’, a term he used to describe himself, against Masvidal – and became the first fighter in MMA history to knock his opponent out cold.
The stunning blow is certain to be in contention for KO of the year and the successful defence of his 170 pound strap saw his win streak extend to 14 fights.
Usman (left) is keen for Khabib (right) to come out of retirement but says it ‘just won’t happen’
Khabib promised his mum he would quit after devastating Gaethje at UFC 254 on Fight Island
His unblemished record is now the second-longest in UFC history, narrowly behind Anderson Silva’s all-conquering 16-fight romp between 2006 and 2012.
Dana White lauded Usman after his victory and confirmed post-fight that the champion will likely take on Colby Covington next.
With Usman’s stock at an all-time high, however, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul was quick to call him out after dispatching Ben Askren comfortably last month.
Jake Paul was quick to call out Usman for a cross-fight and also hinted at a lucrative pay day
Usman said he ‘ain’t no Disney kid’ and told YouTuber turned boxer Paul to ‘stay on that side’
‘Challenge accepted,’ Paul tweeted. ‘@Usman84kg if your boss Dana gives you permission to box me and make more money than you ever have, let me know and we can lace them up. I promise it will be your biggest pay day.’
The Nigerian Nightmare fired back, posting: ‘Keep making your money young man, and stay on that side. I ain’t no Disney kid and I don’t play fighting [sic].’
A bout between the duo would undoubtedly be lucrative – but the UFC are unlikely to sanction the cross-fight for Usman.
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