While Usman is looking to retain the welterweight championship on Saturday Night, another piece of gold he wants is the BMF Championship.
“That’s my (expletive), absolutely,” Usman told TMZ Sports (via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “They’re saying it’s a ‘BMF’ – they’re really considering this a real title, kind of an interim thing or whatever. They’re really considering this a title. So you know, yes – after I go out there and beat his ass and ragdoll him, that (expletive) is coming home with me so I can throw it in my closet.”
Masvidal won the BMF Championship at UFC 244 and that belt is not on the line at this time.
Usman was originally set to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 251, but the champion says he’ll only make minor changes now that Masvidal is the opponent.
“It’s just a minor change, but at the end of the day, when you’re in training camp and you train the way that I train, you see no face,” Usman said. “At the end, you see no face. I have to be ready to, when I cross into that octagon, I have to turn on the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ and leave Kamaru Usman on the outside. Now it’s just a little extra push to go in there and really do some damage – so it didn’t make me no difference.”
UFC 251 takes place on Saturday, July 11 from Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
