Undefeated Blackzilians staple Kamaru Usman is one of the fastest rising prospects in the welterweight division. He also understands the value of a good, old fashioned call-out, which is why he’s recently campaigned so hard for a fight with Demian Maia.
Unfortunately for Usman, Maia politely turned down his offer for a fight. Having accepted Maia’s rejection, Usman has now set his sights on another top welterweight grappler: Dong Hyun Kim.
Usman explained his desire for a fight with Kim in an interview with Fox Sports.
“100-percent honest, this is the plan, Demian Maia isn’t going to take the fight so we’re going to go around him. I don’t want Demian Maia. It’s not realistic and it makes no sense for him. Right now, I want Dong Hyun Kim. He’s next. He’s winning, he’s not coming off three losses, or two losses or anything like that. I think that’s a guy I will completely dominate in every facet of the game.”
“That’s who I want, bar none, Dong Hyun Kim.”
“He’s a grappler, he’s a strong stand-up fighter, and I think that would be a great fight. I think I beat him every and anywhere,” Usman said. “After Dong Hyun Kim, and I would like to fight him in March or if not, early April in Buffalo, or anywhere there’s an African community. New York, Atlanta, Houston, London, wherever. I want Dong Hyun Kim.”
Usman then went one step further, saying that after he beats Kim, he wants Neil Magny, and then finally, that he’ll once again angle for a fight with Maia.
“After Dong Hyun Kim, I want Neil Magny, probably in June or July. Then if Demian Maia is still hanging around and if he doesn’t want it, then we’ll go around him.”
What do you think of these callouts from Kamaru Usman? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This story first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/17/2017.