Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal should thank me for gifting UFC 261 title rematch

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman thinks Jorge Masvidal should be grateful that he’s getting another shot at the title.

Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) will rematch Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 261 main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

Since defeating Masvidal in their first outing last July, Usman notched another title defense with a finish of Gilbert Burns in February. Meanwhile, Masvidal hasn’t competed since losing to Usman.

Though Usman’s win was lopsided, Masvidal took the fight on just six days’ notice when Usman’s original opponent, Burns, withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test. Usman has reiterated that he wants to run things back with Masvidal so he can put the nail in his coffin, but still thinks “Gamebred” should have at least shown him some gratitude for gifting him a rematch.

“You would only expect like, I mean, come on,” Usman told MMA Junkie. “This guy is giving you an opportunity to make a ton of money and take care of your family, but no, it’s not that. It just shows the difference between certain fighters and myself. It is what it is. I guess he has to say what he needs to say in order to sell the fight.

“I was told earlier that he made a comment and called me a coward going into the fight, and that’s pretty harsh when a guy’s giving you two chances and you’ve made the most money you’ve ever made in your career and put you on the biggest stage you’ve ever been in your career. That’s kinda tough. You’re fighting in a title fight back-to-back times. To call the guy a coward, that seems a little silly to me.”

Though there’s bad blood between the two, Usman can give credit where credit is due and knows Masvidal is no slouch. However, he thinks he’s levels above him and expects to get his hand raised once again.

“At the end of the day, I’ve never really taken anything away from him,” Usman said. “He’s a good fighter. He’s a really good fighter. I’ve always shown him that respect, and I think as a sportsman, yeah, he’s a good fighter, but I just think I’m a great fighter. I’m an elite fighter, when these guys are good fighters. At the end of the day, we’re gonna have to go in there and step in, and I’ll make it happen again.”