Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, has expressed his desire to fight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Both fighters are currently without opponents, making them available for a potential matchup. Usman revealed his interest in a fight against Thompson during an interview with TMZ Sports.
In the interview, Usman stated, “I’ve done everything there is to do. The only guy that, to be honest, that even makes sense right now is Wonderboy, ’cause he needs an opponent.” He added that Thompson’s long-standing presence in the sport and his reputation as an exciting fighter make him an ideal opponent.
Thompson, 40, has been a mainstay in the UFC’s welterweight division for years and is known for his unique Kempo style. Usman, 36, considers Thompson to be a fighter from his era that he never had the opportunity to face. Usman expressed his excitement about the challenge of fighting Thompson and praised his opponent’s difficult fighting style.
The potential matchup between Usman and Thompson arises after Thompson’s scheduled fight against Michel Pereira was canceled. Pereira missed weight for the fight, weighing in at 173 lbs. Although Thompson cut weight and made the required limit, the fight was called off. Some individuals have criticized Thompson for not accepting the fight despite Pereira’s weight issue, but Usman defended Thompson, stating, “People are like, ‘He’s a bitch.’ ‘He’s scared.’ ‘He didn’t want to take the fight.’ Why? We signed on a contract, and [Pereira] said he was going to make this weight. He decided not to make this weight, and [Thompson] told him, ‘Ok, I need you to go back and make this weight.’ And if he’s not going to try, why is that [Wonderboy’s] fault? No, absolutely not [his] fault. People need to stop that.”
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Usman emphasized that Thompson fulfilled his obligations by making weight and preparing for the fight, and he believes Thompson should not be blamed for the cancellation. He urged people to understand the situation and stop criticizing Thompson unfairly.
In addition to discussing a potential fight with Thompson, Usman also shared his thoughts on his close friend and training partner Justin Gaethje’s recent victory over Dustin Poirier. Gaethje secured an impressive knockout win over Poirier, with the BMF belt on the line. Usman highlighted the significance of Gaethje’s win for their team and coaches.
The interview concluded with an invitation to watch the video clip to get more insights into Usman’s views. The video features footage related to the interview and gives viewers a better understanding of Usman’s comments.
In conclusion, Kamaru Usman expressed his interest in fighting Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, citing Thompson’s need for an opponent and their shared era in the sport. Usman praised Thompson’s fighting style and defended him against criticism regarding the canceled fight with Michel Pereira. He emphasized Thompson’s professionalism and called for an end to unfair criticisms. The interview also touched on Justin Gaethje’s recent victory and its significance for their team. Overall, Usman’s comments provide insights into his mindset as he looks for his next opponent.
