Kamaru Usman gets angry, denies fear and promises to return to the octagon to face everyone in the category

Kamaru Usman is a former UFC welterweight champion Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Kamaru Usman has lost patience with other fighters' comments about his career. Recently, the former welterweight champion (up to 77,3 kg) was accused of avoiding fights against the division's promising prospects. Despite not stepping into the octagon since 2023, the 'Nigerian Nightmare' denies that the reason for his absence is fear and guarantees that, when he feels healthy, he will return to action, facing anyone.

On his Pound 4 Pound podcast, alongside Henry Cejudo, Usman responded to the criticism and refuted the idea that he was afraid, remembering that he was at the top of the division for a long time and dominated all his opponents.

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“For those who keep thinking I’m not fighting because I choose not to fight, like those stupid fighters who keep saying, ‘Oh, he don’t want to fight me.’ Nobody’s afraid of any of you. I’ve been at the top of the division, pound for pound, with an iron fist, beating the crap out of all of you for a long time,” Usman said.

Usman asks for patience and promises to fight everyone when he returns

Despite being eager to return to the octagon, Kamaru Usman stated that he will only return when he is healthy. The former champion revealed that he is willing to face anyone in his division and asked the other fighters to remain silent and be patient until his recovery.

“When I’m healthy, I’ll go in there. I want to fight. I can’t wait to fight and finish one of you. So shut up, all you stupid middleweights, shut up and wait until I’m healthy again. I’ll fight all of you, I don’t care. Just be patient, okay? Thank you. 2025 is going to be a great year for everyone.”

With 20 wins and only four losses in his career, Kamaru Usman does not compete since lost to Khamzat Chimaev in a fight with little warning in UFC 294, at the end of 2023. At 37 years old, the 'Nigerian Nightmare' has not won in three fights, is ranked third in the welterweight rankings and still does not have a set date for his return.