Source: Twitter
Nigerian UFC Welterweight star Kamaru Usman has expressed a desire to take on Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson in his next fight in the promotion. Nicknamed the Nigerian Nightmare, Usman has been on the lookout for an opponent since losing the division title against Leon Edwards. There has been a lot of speculation, but the 36-year-old’s next opponent is still not confirmed.
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Hence in a recent interview, Kamaru Usman stated how fighting Stephen Thompson would be the best option. Wonderboy was supposed to battle Michel Pereira at UFC 291 on Saturday, but the fight was called off after the Brazilian fighter missed weight. So with Thompson without an opponent, Usman could emerge as an exciting competitor for Wonderboy.
While speaking to TMZ, Kamaru Usman said, "I've done everything there is to do. The only guy that, to be honest, that even make sense right now is Wonderboy, 'cause he needs an opponent. Wonderboy's been around for so long, and he's just that name to where it's always a good fight."
The Nigerian Nightmare further defended Stephen Thompson after many criticised the 40-year-old American for supposedly backing out from his recent fight. Usman stated how Thompson wanted Michel Pereira to honour the terms of his contract and reiterated this demand after the Brazilian failed to make weight.
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He said, "People are like, 'He's a bitch.' 'He's scared.' 'He didn't want to take the fight.' Why? We signed on a contract, and [Pereira] said he was going to make this weight. He decided not to make this weight, and [Thompson] told him, 'Ok, I need you to go back and make this weight’.”
Further, Usman declared that Thompson hasn’t done any wrong by not taking the fight and asked what else should someone do in this situation. The Nigerian said, “And if he's not going to try, why is that [Wonderboy's] fault? No, absolutely not [his] fault. People need to stop that. Wonderboy did his job. He came in there, he made weight, he trained for the fight. What more could you ask of him?"
