Former champion Kamaru Usman is feeling pretty good following his loss to Leon Edwards.
After losing his UFC title in such a shocking manner, Kamaru Usman is surprisingly in good spirits. The main event bout between him and Leon Edwards was a great back and forth battle that ultimately saw Edwards standing over Usman at the end. The head kick KO in the fifth round put Usman out and allowed Edwards to be crowned the new champion. Despite being the first loss for Usman since 2013, he is happy for his opponent and is finding the positives in a negative situation.
Kamaru Usman is targeting a rematch with Leon Edwards in his home country
Kamaru Usman is confident that he will get an immediate rematch. He was the champion for so long and has been so dominant in the division that he believes it is the only fight that makes sense. He is unimpressed by the rest of the division and sees himself as the biggest threat to Edwards. Usman said he feels as if the head kick KO was a lucky shot and likened it to a hail Mary pass in football. Since he is so confident in himself he feels that going to England for the rematch would be fitting. He spoke about this in an interview with TMZ Sports.
“Probably be top of next year and I want to go to England. Yeah, I’ve been, I’ve been feening to go to England,” Usman said. “You know, like, that’s, that’s, I feel like England is my second home. I’ve just shown you know, England is half African. You know, people don’t know that but it’s half African. So you know, it’s time to go over there and entertain my English people. And what better story I mean, you couldn’t write this any better.”
Kamaru Usman is looking on the bright side of his loss to Leon Edwards and the Memes being made of his KO
Usman sees a bright future still ahead of him and is embracing all the attention he is getting, even the negative attention. The image of him laying on the canvas after the knockout has been getting the meme treatment but Usman is not phased by it. He in under the impression that all press is good press and now he sees his stock is on the rise.
“I’m so gracious to be in a place in time now to where people just care that much. You know, I thought I was famous before but with the meme action going on, oh man, I’m famous now,” Usman laughed. “It’s just an added bonus, an added hunger to return. So I’m just excited. I’m excited for what’s next. I have the rare opportunity now to just inspire and motivate and show people that you can fall and get back up.”
Usman is not going to jump right back into the cage right away. He explained that he was originally thinking of returning at the end of the year but now plans for early 2023 for his revenge date. As for Edwards he is basking in the glory of his new title and is treasuring his moment. The UFC has visited London, England twice this year and has found great success in those events. This could open the door for a title fight in England featuring the up-and-coming UK stars on the roster.
