Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans has some words of inspiration for Kamaru Usman after his recent knockout loss.
Rashad Evans Motivates Kamaru Usman
Evans was front and center for Usman’s welterweight title defense against Leon Edwards last month, where Edwards dethroned “The Nigerian Nightmare” with a hellacious head kick knockout.
It was a “traumatic” experience for Evans, who is a good friend of Usman’s. Despite the loss, Evans is still very much in his friend’s corner, offering him some words of encouragement.
Taking to Twitter recently, Evans issued a heartfelt message to his friend in the wake of his setback.
“From the moment I met him, I knew that he had something special. I watched him hone his skills from being a decorated wrestler on TUF, to watching him break jaws with his jab while headlining a PPV.
“MMA is a sport where we experience the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I truly believe in my heart that this was only a small setback, and a setup to truly cement your legacy amongst the greats… and I’ll be there with you, as always, every step of the way, my brother.”
From the moment I met him, I knew that he had something special. I watched him hone his skills from being a decorated wrestler on TUF, to watching him break jaws with his jab while headlining a PPV. MMA is a sport where we experience the highest of highs, and the lowest of…🧵 pic.twitter.com/R3kpiHvwqE
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) September 1, 2022
lows, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I truly believe in my heart that this was only a small setback, and a setup to truly cement your legacy amongst the greats…and I’ll be there with you, as always, every step of the way, my brother. @USMAN84kg
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) September 1, 2022
Usman is one of the most dominant forces the welterweight division has ever seen in recent years. In fact, he was likely winning his fight against Edwards up until the finish in the fifth round.
Despite being defeated, Usman will likely receive an immediate rematch when he’s ready to return to the Octagon and is fully recovered from his knockout. The defeat was Usman’s second ever of his career, and his first in 16 fights.
Now having suffered adversity in the UFC space, it will be interesting to see how the former champion bounces back from this setback.
