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Tag: Kamaru Usman

  • Anthony Joshua opens up on friends’ deaths in video call with Kamaru

    Anthony Joshua opens up on friends’ deaths in video call with Kamaru

    Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has opened up about the tragic car accident that claimed two of his close friends, during a heartfelt conversation with UFC star Kamaru Usman.

    The discussion, shared in a YouTube video uploaded by Usman, took place as Joshua was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash and ahead of an MMA event held in Lagos on December 30.

    Joshua survived a fatal accident on December 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, which resulted in the deaths of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. 

    The boxer was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to Duchess International Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

    Joshua appeared in the video seated in a treatment room, with visible bandages on his head and torso. 

    He admitted that the reality of the loss had not yet fully dawned on him.

    Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, asked whether Ghami and Ayodele had been seated in the front of the black Lexus involved in the crash.

    “One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet,” Joshua said.

    “I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now,” Usman responded.

    “Life is short, man. Life is short,” Joshua added. “And now look, I get to speak with you for the first time.”

    “I know. It’s a funny way of moving things, you know? We thank God,” Usman replied.

    Read Also: Anthony Joshua mourns as close friends are laid to rest in London

    Usman also reflected on the public reaction to the incident, noting how moments of tragedy often reveal the extent of a public figure’s impact beyond the criticism they routinely face.

    “You scared the world. It’s crazy because obviously, we deal with the haters and all the bull**** each and every time and it sucks that it takes something serious like this to really see how many people have their eyes on you.”

    Following his discharge from hospital, Joshua has since returned to the United Kingdom. 

    On Sunday, he broke his silence on social media, sharing a photograph of himself standing with the families of the deceased.

    He captioned the post simply: “My Brother’s Keeper.”

  • Kamaru Usman ends four-year drought with emphatic UFC win

    Kamaru Usman ends four-year drought with emphatic UFC win

    After nearly four years without a win and mounting speculation about his decline, Kamaru Usman has silenced the doubters with a dominant showing at UFC Atlanta on Saturday night, reaffirming his legacy as one of the greatest welterweights in MMA history, according to MMAFighting.

    The former champion didn’t just beat Joaquin Buckley — he overwhelmed him. From the first exchange to the final horn, Usman leaned on the attributes that defined his reign: relentless wrestling, suffocating top control, and a relentless pace. It was classic Usman — and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment.

    “It feels good,” Usman said about the win. “It’s been a while; I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level. Sometimes, when you’re going up against a young, hungry guy like that, very talented, very aggressive, you’ve got to pull out the skills and use the experience. That’s what I did tonight.”

    After back-to-back losses and a lengthy hiatus marked by concerns over his aging knees, many fans and analysts had counted Usman out. But once the cage door shut, it was the former champion — not the up-and-coming contender — who looked like the true future of the division.

    “I know it’s a running joke,” Usman said. “Everybody wants to get on the internet and talk rubbish. Oh, his knees, his knees! Well, shut the f*ck up, I can still do what I do.”

    Read Also: Kamaru Usman rues third UFC loss

    And that’s exactly what he did. Usman dictated the pace from the start, taking Buckley down with clinical precision and controlling him on the ground for much of the fight. He opened a cut early, neutralized Buckley’s offense, and shut down nearly every attempt to escape. Even as Buckley mounted a late rally in the final round, the outcome was never in doubt — Usman’s control had already cemented the win.

    This wasn’t just a victory — it was a message. After years at the summit followed by a steep decline, Usman didn’t return just to preserve his legacy. He came back to reclaim what he still believes is his.

    “I can do that to anybody,” Usman said. “Any one of them. Those knockouts will come; I just needed this monkey off my back. The rest of the welterweight division, listen — I have been and always will be the f*cking boogeyman.”

    For Buckley, who showed heart and grit despite being outmatched, it was a learning experience — and a milestone in itself.

    “I’m beyond just honoured to be in this octagon with somebody who’s known as one of the best,” Buckley said after the loss. “One of the GOATs to do it. For us to go five rounds, to put on an amazing fight, I’m just so happy. I’ve come a long way and you all see me here. This isn’t going to be the end. We’re just getting started.”

    Whether this performance leads Usman back to a title shot remains to be seen. But after Saturday night, one thing is certain: the Nigerian Nightmare is still a problem — and the division has been warned.

  • AKO 7 unleashes electrifying fury as Kamaru Usman returns

    AKO 7 unleashes electrifying fury as Kamaru Usman returns

    The African Knockout Championship (AKO7) has once again set the stage ablaze, reaffirming its status as the ultimate Pan-African Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship as fighters from across the continent—Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon—descended upon Lagos, transforming the city into the pulsating heart of African combat sports.

    The Landmark Event Center was packed to capacity, hosting a sold-out crowd of passionate fans filling every corners and crannies on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

    The venue buzzed with energy as AKO7 showcased a breathtaking array of matchups across various weight classes, including bantamweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight; women’s catch weight, middleweight, and featherweight. Fans were treated to a night filled with heart-stopping action, jaw-dropping athleticism, and unforgettable showdowns that left spectators on the edge of their seats.

    Adding to the star-studded atmosphere, First African-born UFC Champion and AKO co-founder, Kamaru Usman made a triumphant return to Nigeria, engaging with fans and fighters alike. His presence electrified the event, underscoring the commitment to elevate African talent on the global stage. Reflecting on the Championship’s mission Usman said: “We’re doing our very best to grow this sport across Africa, not just Nigeria. We want to give these men and women the opportunity to change their lives and get to that next level. Thank you to everyone who came out to support—your presence means everything.”

    In the electrifying main event, Nigeria’s own Daniel Emeka, known as “Big Shark,” unleashed a tidal wave of skill and power, overpowering Segun Ogunnoiki with a decisive Unanimous Decision. Emeka now advances to the AKO Championship finals, where he will vie for the Inaugural AKO Middleweight title in 2025. The excitement didn’t stop there! Nigeria’s Jibrin Baba delivered a stunning performance, defeating Burkina Faso’s Abdulrazac Sankara to secure his spot in the finals for the Inaugural AKO Lightweight title in 2025.

    Read Also: NFF unveils Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ 37th coach

    Cameroon’s Isaac Muluh claimed the Knockout of the Night title with a spectacular overhand right that landed flush on the jaw of Nigeria’s Richard Muzaan, ending the fight in just 1.32 seconds of the first round. Known for his laser focus, Muluh showcased incredible precision and restraint, setting up the decisive strike with patience and intent. His ability to double up on his punches and maintain control highlighted his exceptional skill, earning him well-deserved accolades and leaving the crowd in awe.

    Senegal’s Gasmire Diatta, living up to his moniker “Killa,” claimed the Performance of the Night title with a dominant TKO victory over Cameroon’s Oteh Stanick in just 4.15 seconds of the first round. Diatta’s precise strikes, including a devastating seven-hit combo and punishing body shots, showcased his superior control and skill, leaving Stanick unable to recover, while Morocco’s Mandar Sanaa continued her unbeaten streak, outclassing Cameroon’s Marie Mengue in the women’s bantamweight bout.

    Nigeria’s Joy Obala also shone brightly, dominating Terlumun Doose and clinching victory in a rapid 4.46 seconds of the second round. The heavyweight clash was nothing short of legendary, with Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane submitting Kassoum Kone via RNC in just 1.17 seconds of the second round, leaving fans in awe!

    From the opening bell to the final whistle, AKO7 delivered a mesmerizing blend of drama, strategy, and showmanship, solidifying its reputation as Africa’s premier combat sports Championship. With its pan-African reach and fierce rivalries, AKO continues to captivate fans across the continent, showcasing the incredible talent of African martial artists.

    The event was a dazzling spectacle attended by VIPs & celebrities including Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Adekunle Gold, Brodashaggi, Baba Rex, Neduwazobia, and Phyno, who all came to witness the thrilling action.

    As the road to the Championship finals heats up, AKO promises even more explosive action and unforgettable stories. Stay tuned for what’s next in this exhilarating journey!

    AKO7 was proudly sponsored by premier sponsors Moniepoint, 2024 season Gold sponsor; Ace Global Depository, and Gold sponsor, Fearless, National Lottery Trust Fund and Green Hill capital

  • Kamaru Usman rues third UFC loss

    Kamaru Usman rues third UFC loss

    Kamaru Usman believes he could have done more in his short-notice middleweight fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.

    Usman put on a gritty performance against Chimaev in the three-round co-main event headlined by a championship rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. However, Chimaev’s dominant wrestling and control in Round 1 seemed to have set Usman back on the scorecards from the very start.

    The remaining rounds were extremely close. While Usman seemed to have the striking advantage, Chimaev managed to display his effective grappling skills throughout the bout. In the end, “Borz” improved his impressive mixed martial arts record to 13-0 with a majority decision victory against the former welterweight champion.

    Read Also: Seven African countries to feature as Kamaru Usman inspired MMA contest hold in Lagos

    Reflecting on his performance during the post-fight interview with Megan Olivi, Usman was quick to criticize his inability to start the fight strong.

    “If anything that I can say I take away from tonight it’s that I need to trust myself more, trust my coaches,” he said. “We’ll be back. You know, coming off the couch in 10 days and fighting a young hungry bull like that who’s big and strong and has had a year and a half to really grow into this weight class and I didn’t and I think I didn’t trust my shape. I’m a championship fighter, and you can’t start slow like that. I say give me a couple of extra rounds, I think the world knows what that result might be.”

    Usman certainly didn’t have adequate time to prepare for a specialist like Chimaev. However, the same could be said for “Borz,” who was initially slated to face Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi.

    Usman is now on a three-fight losing skid, with two of those losses coming in the form of majority decisions