Kamaru Usman Reveals Jorge Masvidal as the Fighter Who Scared Him the Most

Kamaru Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, claimed that Jorge Masvidal was the competitor who rattled him the most before entering the Octagon.

Despite being one of the most feared fighters in the welterweight class, Usman admitted to being afraid during his title run. The boxer who inspired the most fear in “The Nigerian Nightmare” was Masvidal, who was heavily hyped for their first title bout in 2020.

Masvidal won the 2019 ‘Fighter of the Year’ title with victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, becoming the UFC’s first-ever BMF Champion via doctor’s stoppage TKO. His record-breaking 5-second flying knee KO of the unbeaten Askren was one of the most violent, knocking Askren out for over three minutes.

“I say one of the most violent (knockouts) because he was out for almost like two, three minutes,” Usman said of Masvidal’s KO on ‘Pound 4 Pound’.

“He was out. I remember I was there. I remember watching like, ‘He’s still stiff. Not only is he out, but he’s still stiff.’ Then, all that happens, that was 2019 and then I think maybe a year later you and I fight…”

Usman and Masvidal first met at UFC 251 in “the craziest circumstances” after title contender Gilbert Burns pulled out due to COVID-19. Masvidal replaced him with six days’ notice, jetting across the world to face Usman on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.

Although this was Usman’s third UFC title fight, the champion was nervous about his unexpected and hazardous title defence against Masvidal. The Askren knockout played nonstop on every station and social media outlet, adding to Usman’s fears.

“Of course, we get nervous for every fight, but one of the first times it got to me, everything around me got to me because, bro, they’re playing your viral knockout, one of the most viral knockouts ever,” Usman said of the Askren knockout.

“(Masvidal) f***ing gets to me,” Usman continued. “I’m like, ‘Oh s**t, is he gonna baptize me? What the f**k is it? I’m in a hotel and I’m super nervous for this, especially that – that moment before you go to the arena for the fight, and I’m in my room just like, ‘Why the f**k am I so nervous right now? Get it together…’ I would say that was probably one of the most nerve-wracking fights that I had.”

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Usman overcame his concerns to defeat Masvidal in a dominant unanimous decision at UFC 251. After going the distance with “Gamebred” in 2020, the welterweights meet again in a match a year later.