K. Usman at a press conference after the UFC 268 (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)
Like every UFC champion, Kamaru Usman He is always involved in speculation about future opponents. And the name that comes up often is Swedish Khamzat Shimaev. In an interview during the UFC 274 last Saturday (07), the owner of the welterweight belt minimized the 'hype' of the prospect and praised one of his latest rivals, the Brazilian Gilbert Durinho.
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“(Khamzat) Chimaev is a competitor. Every one of these guys in the division is a competitor. I see them as competitors and I take them so seriously. But as far as putting something extra into someone just to try and give them a boost, I don't really mind that. Durinho was as tough a fighter as (Colby) Covington and (Jorge) Masvidal. I don't really try to put anything extra into these guys. Of course, I love the extra zeros on the checks if they bring so many eyeballs, but in the end, they're just competitors and I don't see any faces,” Usman said.
Recently defeated by Chimaev, Gilbert Durinho surprised many by delivering a real 'war' to the prospect. However, the champion gave his opinion on the fight and revealed that he was not surprised by the former challenger's performance.
“It was a good fight. I think a few things here and there on both sides and one of these guys would have been able to finish the fight. But this just goes to show that anyone is beatable, surpassable. Durinho is a warrior and I’ve known that for a long, long time”, concluded the champion.
Leader of the division since March 2019, Usman has already defended the belt on five occasions. Not yet officially confirmed, his next duel should be against the Englishman Leon edwards. The Nigerian has a record of 20 triumphs and only one setback as a professional athlete.
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