UFC: Kamaru Usman says Conor McGregor ‘must want to die’ after welterweight title hint
- ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ laughs off idea of McGregor challenging him
- ‘Just sit down, little man. This ain’t what you want … I would hurt that guy’
Conor McGregor appeared to hint at a tilt for a title in a third different UFC weight class last weekend. But welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has emphatically shut him down.
Former featherweight and lightweight king McGregor tweeted “145. 155. 170” after Usman defended his title with a fifth-round TKO against Colby Covington at UFC 245.
The dramatic slugfest underlined Usman’s credentials as the best welterweight on the planet and “The Nigerian Nightmare” laughed off the idea of the Irishman challenging him.
“He must want to die,” Usman told TMZ Sports. “I mean, what? He must want to die. This is not ‘45 [145 pounds], ‘55. You saw what Khabib did to him. Oh my God. It wouldn’t even be fair if I fought Conor.”
McGregor returns to the Octagon on January 18 after more than a year out following his loss to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. But “The Notorious” is back at welterweight against Donald Cerrone, fuelling speculation he could make a play for the 170-pounds title.
“Much respect to Conor for what he’s done for the sport and transcended it. But nah. This ain’t what you want. Just sit down, little man. Sit down. Learn to walk before you can run. Because I would hurt that guy.”
UFC: Edwards warns Usman, Masvidal – ‘I’ll be champ in 2020’
Usman also poured water on the idea of Jorge Masvidal getting the next shot at him.
“Who cares [about Masvidal]? I’m being honest, if you talk about a guy who deserves a title shot, it’s Leon Edwards,” Usman said. “This guy hasn’t lost since he fought me, he’s been fighting tough guys.
“He’s in the same position I was in a year ago, that’s when these guys recognise you’re tough, they don’t wanna take that gamble of fighting you and having you step over them. He’s a guy I know is tough and I recognise his talents for sure.”
