Former champion Kamaru Usman dropped a bombshell recently. This came in the aftermath of Conor McGregor‘s latest insult-fest. The Irishman insulted the top names in the UFC, including Usman and his friend Khabib Nurmagomedov. As such, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ decided to fire back at McGregor.
Usman talked about this on his podcast, Pound 4 Pound. The welterweight legend revealed he offered Conor McGregor the opportunity to fight for the title twice when he was the champion. As such, Usman indicated that the Irishman had turned down the opportunity to become a three-division champion in the UFC.
I gave Conor two opportunities to fight me while I was champion. I told him, ‘Hey, if you want a crack at that third belt, who better?’ I was on the run that I was on, who better for you to come up and fight? He talked about it when he wanted to make his return, ‘Maybe I’ll go up and grab the third belt.’ It is what it is, Conor.
Kamaru Usman via Pound 4 Pound Podcast
Those purported offers came when Kamaru Usman was in the midst of his dominant run. At the time, the idea of McGregor challenging for a third weight class seemed plausible. But now, both of these guys no longer remain in title contention. McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler after a 3-year-long layoff. Kamaru Usman, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
All this from Usman came after McGregor took shots at him as well as other top-level fighters. Usman had also accused Mcgregor of trying to steal the spotlight off other fighters. Usman was the champion from 2019 to 2022. McGregor broke his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. As such, the alleged title shots must have come before McGregor broke his leg.
Kamaru Usman details his restraint against Conor McGregor
Kamaru Usman pulled no punches in the latest round of a growing war of words. Usman is known for his classy persona and avoidance of harsh trash talk. The former UFC welterweight king reminded Conor McGregor of his classy restraint at the time McGregor was down.
Kamaru Usman showcased his classy nature (via MMA Fighting/ CBS News)Specifically, Usman said he avoided piling onto McGregor during the Irishman’s legal troubles. While others may have kicked him down, Usman took the high road.
I didn’t kick him while he was down. He’s had run-ins with the law. He’s had back-to-back instances, but you never heard me sit there and kick the man while he was down. There needs to be some level of respect here because, at the end of the day, that’s what this sport is all about.
Kamaru Usman via Pound 4 Pound podcast
Kamaru Usman responds to Conor McGregor, and says he gave Conor two opportunites to fight him when he was champion 😳
“You can’t say [I’m a bum], Conor. I didn’t kick him while he was down. He’s had run-ins with the law, he’s had back-to-back incidents… but you never heard me… pic.twitter.com/jnxSWzaBHO
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 22, 2024
For the typically mild-mannered ‘Nigerian Nightmare,’ the recent brazen display from McGregor disrespected martial arts values. He challenged whether money had fully compromised McGregor’s ethics and integrity. While both men achieved fantastic feats in the cage, Usman argued respect was paramount. Calling champions “bums” crossed an unacceptable line contrary to their sacrifices.
