Kamaru Usman headlined his first ever UFC card this past weekend when he picked up a unanimous decision win over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night Chile.
Shortly after the win, a victorious Usman appeared on the FS1 post-fight show to deliver a message to UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.
“Hey, champ. You know my social media hasn’t changed since I got in the game five years ago,” Usman said. “Welterweight, and I’m coming for that gold strap. And with that performance, even with some handicaps, no one can deny that I’m definitely top five right now in the division.”
Woodley, who is still recovering from a 2017 shoulder surgery, would issue a response to Usman a short time later.
That response would also take place on the FS1 post-fight show.
“Kamaru Usman, congratulations,” Woodley said. “I don’t ever want to take away the credit. Demian Maia is a game opponent. Me as the champion, I’m always welcoming any challenger. Just make it to that point, I’ll be on the other side of the octagon. I did see a couple things that if you do against me, you might end up waking up with the smelling salt. But hey, hats off to you. Great job. Just being real.”
While Usman is now a top contender for the gold, it would appear that the winner of the UFC Interim Welterweight Title bout between former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos and Colby Covington at UFC 225 would be next for Woodley.
