Kamaru Usman believes there is blame to go around in the Jorge Masvidal-Colby Covington debacle.
The rivalry between Masvidal and Covington is quite personal. The two were once friends and roommates but those days are long gone. It’s gone from good buds to “on sight.” In the leadup to their UFC 272 clash, Covington was relentless in his trash talk, calling Masvidal a“piece of sh*t father” and mentioning his kids.
Covington defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision but this beef is far from over. Weeks after the bout, Masvidal was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a mask and criminal mischief. He allegedly attacked Covington outside a restaurant in Miami.
Kamaru Usman Puts Blame On Masvidal & Covington
During a live chat on his Instagram account, Kamaru Usman discussed the alleged incident (h/t MMAJunkie.com).
“One, it’s unfortunate because it’s taken itself, it’s growing legs now out of just sports to actuality and reality. That’s what’s the danger about what you say trying to build a fight or leading up to a fight. You have to watch your mouth. You can’t just run off at the mouth and say what you want or do what you want and expect the opponent to still keep it sport-related.
“Of course some people, i.e like myself, I am just wise enough to understand that you could say whatever you want to say. At the end of the day, I will do my talking with my hands inside once we step in there because that is what I’m there for, is to compete. So you can say and do whatever you want to try and throw me off my competitive edge, which is my mind, but at the end of the day, you can’t. I will go in there and I will still handle business. But in this case, you said a lot of things that crossed the line and some people are not wise enough to not risk it all outside.”
While Usman condemned Covington for making things personal, he also said Masvidal wasn’t exactly justified in his alleged actions.
“Now (Masvidal is) facing counts, and now you could potentially go away. So that’s the unfortunate nature of the situation. I don’t like it. Both guys, I believe, are in the wrong. You can’t just do what you want and say what you want just because you want to sell something, and I feel that’s wrong – very wrong.
“But also, you can’t go as an athlete – as an elite athlete, you’re one of the best athletes in the world – you can’t just go attacking somebody in the street. Yeah, I understand it’s another athlete, but you can’t just do that when it’s outside of competition. So both guys took a big ‘L’ on that one. (I) pray for both, though. (I) hope they’re OK.”
Masvidal was released from jail on $15,000 bond. “Gamebred” is due in court on April 21.
