Kamaru Usman sees Stephen Thompson as only guy that is great for him next

After shedding out on the Khamzat Chimaev fight, Kamaru Usman sees Stephen Thompson as a logical next opponent.

Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC) went attend-and-forth with Chimaev through media interviews, nonetheless a fight never materialized. Chimaev was as soon as booked in opposition to Paulo Costa for a middleweight bout at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

Usman looks to rebound from his second-straight title loss to Leon Edwards. “The Nigerian Nightmare” cleared out most of the division within the midst of his championship reign, nonetheless one notable title he never crossed paths with is a musty two-time title challenger, Thompson (17-6-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC).

“I’ve done all the pieces there is to raise out,” Usman today rapid TMZ. “The one real guy, to be honest, that might well even build sense ideal now is ‘Wonderboy,’ because he wants an opponent. ‘Wonderboy’ has been spherical see you later, and he’s appropriate that title to where it’s repeatedly a huge fight. His trend is terribly, very advanced to fight. He’s appropriate one amongst those names, he’s in my abilities, that I never no doubt received to fight.”

Thompson was as soon as scheduled to face Michel Pereira this previous Saturday at UFC 291, nonetheless the bout was as soon as scrapped after Pereira overlooked weight, and “Wonderboy” opted no longer to rob the fight. Which ability that, Thompson has but to receive any compensation.

Usman thinks Thompson did the nice thing and shouldn’t procure criticism for his resolution no longer to compete.

“I know everyone is crucifying him for no longer taking that fight,” Usman stated. “But why? I don’t have in mind the truth that. Why? Contributors are fancy, ‘Oh, he’s a b*tch. He’s shy. He didn’t prefer to rob the fight.’ Why? We signed on a contract, and this man (Pereira) stated he was as soon as going to build this weight.”He made up our minds no longer to build that weight, and I rapid (Thompson), ‘OK, I need you to return and build the weight.’

“If he’s no longer going to strive, why is that my fault? No, completely no longer my fault. Contributors want to forestall that. ‘Wonderboy,’ he did his job. He came in there, he made weight, he professional for the fight. What more might additionally you ask of him?”

For more on the cardboard, seek the advice of with MMA Junkie’s match hub for UFC 291.