Kamaru Usman reacts to Rahmonov: “Khamzat was more frightening”

Kamaru Usman is upset that Shavkat Rahmonov claims he doesn't want to fight him.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was previously tipped to face Jack Della Maddalena, but with Maddalena currently recovering from arm surgery, “The Nomad” now has his sights set on a title bout. Accusing Usman and Colby Covington of shunning him.

“JDM is injured and Usman and Colby don't want that. I'm ready to fight the winner of Leon vs Belal.”

JDM is injured and Usman and Colby don't want that. He's ready to face the winner of Leon vs. Belal.

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) June 9, 2024

Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) spoke to Rakhmonov, pointing to his last-minute bout with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 as proof he's willing to take on anyone. The former welterweight champion lost to Chimaev by majority decision.

Usman also Training with Rakhmonov At Killcliffe FC.

“At the end of the day, people are like, 'Are you scared to fight this guy?' You don't become a champion to defend your title multiple times because you're scared to fight somebody,” Usman said on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo. “Shut up. Everybody get me going again. … It's one of those things, because he comes here to train in this gym in South Florida. I was training before he ever dreamed of fighting in the UFC. Look, now a competitor like me comes along and starts talking trash. Look, I'm not even at that point yet, but I can tell you, before he ever dreamed of fighting in the UFC, I was training in this gym, doing everything, helping my homie get to the top while I was at the top.”

“I know he's out here training in South Florida, that's the way it is. I understand he's a young, hungry challenger, but look, there's respect. To earn respect, you have to show it. I'm the type of guy who's been to the top of the mountain and come down. You saw in the video, I was helping you, I was looking at you. It's not like I can sit here and say, 'Oh, you're scared, I don't want to do it.' Look, I took on Khamzat nine days ago. Khamzat was definitely scarier than him, and he was injured. Khamzat, you know, hadn't had a really long fight at that point, and most of his fights were over in the first round.”

Usman was responding to a clip released from the “Fight Inc: Inside the UFC” documentary, which shows Dana White trying to arrange a fight between Usman and Rahmonov at UFC 294. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggested Usman vs. Stephen Thompson instead, but Usman ended up facing Chimaev less than 10 days later.

“First of all, I'm not fighting right now so I'm not worried about any of that,” Usman said. “This was a year ago and guess what happened after that? I got nine days' notice and I fought Khamzat Chimaev, who was the most dangerous man in the UFC at the time.

“When I get back in the Octagon, I don't really care who the opponent is. Whether it's Cousin John, this guy, that guy, Shafqat, JDM, this guy, Leon Edwards, Belal (Muhammad), I don't care who it is. When I'm ready to get back in the Octagon and I want to fight somebody, I don't care. I'm just going to fight who I need to fight.”