Kamaru Usman: 'No Animosity' with Potential Foe Islam Makhachev

[Söze Aldo]

No, the Stipe fight was much much worse if we are being honest.

No, not much worse. They are both faded fighters, years past their physical prime, who shouldn’t have been or shouldn't be granted a title shot.

And the only reason they were given or will be given one is because the titleholder wants a legend’s name on their resume.

When Izzy fought Silva at the end of his career, at least it wasn't as a title defense.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

what is this clown on about? YOU'RE 1-3 BUD AND 38 YRS OLD

 

[Shay Brennan]

No, the Stipe fight was much much worse if we are being honest.

Yeah, Stipe was over 42 in that fight.
He also has not won a fight since 2020.
Props to him for getting to the 3rd round though, that's something a prime Gane couldn't do.

 

[HNIC215]

They're friends and respect each other.

Also have the same manager.

Kamaru said it best "let's both get paid".

 

[Arm Barbarian]

Not that anyone thinks it would happen, but how crazy would it be if Marty actually won, and regained the strap at this stage.

 

[DougieJones]

Complete farce this is even being entertained as a serious fight

 

[Thepaintbucket]

It's just that these boards hate both Usman and Makhachev (less in the case of the latter). But Kamaru gets underserved hate IMO.

The Stipe/Jones fight was the farce of the century. Oh let me fight that 42 yo Stipe that hasn't fought in 3 whole years and that was KTFO to the shadow realm in his last fight. What a joke

I've never seen Stipe look so disinterested from the start to the finish. He then quickly made his way out of the octagon. Definitely came back for a paycheck

 

[TR1]

No, not much worse. They are both faded fighters, years past their physical prime, who shouldn’t have been or shouldn't be granted a title shot.

And the only reason they were given or will be given one is because the titleholder wants a legend’s name on their resume.

When Izzy fought Silva at the end of his career, at least it wasn't as a title defense.

The difference is:

-Kumaru is 4 years younger at fight date
-Won a fight against a top 10 guy THIS year
-Took the current MW champ to the limit 2 years ago.

Meanwhile Stipe had not won a fight in 4 years.

 

[pclanadmin2]

Islam vs Usman in 2026 = Jon Jones vs Stipe in 2024.

Yup. Also, I think of Usman saying "No Animosity" as meaning "no knee cartilage" LOL.

 

[Tweak896]

I kind of like this fight, but also I really have no faith in Usman 2026. UFC will probably do it. Think Islam will Khamzat him until submission or all 5 rounds. Hard for me to put Usman over Shavkat, Morales, or Prates right now.

 

[188912345]

"If I do hurt him and he's down and there's a follow-up shot to potentially put him away that's the difference is, I won't take that shot. While I say that now, obviously emotions are different when you’re in there.”

That's an awful quote that should immediately disqualify him from getting the shot.

 

[Söze Aldo]

The difference is:

-Kumaru is 4 years younger at fight date
-Won a fight against a top 10 guy THIS year
-Took the current MW champ to the limit 2 years ago.

Meanwhile Stipe had not won a fight in 4 years.

It's simple, do you actually believe Usman is deserving of a title shot among all the contenders at 170?

If he gets one now, it will be for the same reason Stipe got his in 2024, a name the titleholder thinks will impress people when they look back at their record without context, and an easy first title defense.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

I like that fight honestly. Usman showed he still got it. And at least he can wrestle more that damn JDM. Don't forget Chimaev couldn't finish Usman.

I'm glad the resulting ranking shakeup put Usman to #8. Now, a #8 doesn't guarantee he won't get the shot, since that has happened before, but it does put it in a really bad light that has similarly garnered a lot of criticism.

 

[DapperDave]

Usman ain't no fighter, he's a show guy.

"Well, I'll take a beating from Islam if it will entertain."

Pussy.

Ask Morales the same shit. He won't be talking about "entertainment."

He'll be talking "I'm gonna knock Islam the fuck out."

Book it!!!

 

[swarrrm]

I'd rather see Jones vs Stipe 2 than this shit

 

[TR1]

It's simple, do you actually believe Usman is deserving of a title shot among all the contenders at 170?

If he gets one now, it will be for the same reason Stipe got his in 2024, a name the titleholder thinks will impress people when they look back at their record without context, and an easy first title defense.

It's not ideal but taking the undeserved aspect aside it's not the worst fight.

Jones Stipe was a farce, and played out like one.

 

[Sycho Sid]

I'm glad the resulting ranking shakeup put Usman to #8. Now, a #8 doesn't guarantee he won't get the shot, since that has happened before, but it does put it in a really bad light that has similarly garnered a lot of criticism.

Not like anyone involved would care about criticism. Just about getting paid.

 

[JustforBROCK]

I gotta admit Im a little out of the loop with rankings of whatever, but is Usman a legit option? And if so, why on earth would this fight be made? Usman is done. Not only do I think he's had one foot out the door for years, but his knee's ain't driving a fucking Delorean .

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Not like anyone involved would care about criticism. Just about getting paid.

Yeah, but at least we'd get to see pinkface turn red when needing to answer the one or two "non pre-approved" questions about it from the journalists he hates for being journalists. UFC gonna operate however it likes, so we gotta take some victory in whatever annoyances Dana has to deal with

 

[Khaosan]

Sounds great, although i still believe Garry has a better claim to the title shot as long as he wins this weekend.

Garry is doing better PR than when he first came acting like Conor.

Surprised Garry didn’t pull up a chair..

Spoiler

and place it in the corner of the room.