There’s a new duo of elite MMA fighters joining the podcasting space.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is teaming up with former two-division UFC titleholder and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo for a weekly podcast, the fighters announced to MMA Junkie on Thursday in conjunction with the launch of the debut episode.
Cejudo has dabbled in the world of podcasting before with various projects. This is a new venture for Usman, however, and after being a largely reserved personality throughout most of his career, he’s keen to echo his opinions on various topics in and out of the combat sports space.
“I’m not so talkative, but a lot of people have been requesting for me to do more stuff, whether it’s breaking down fights or breaking down videos,” Usman told MMA Junkie. “Also they just want to hear my opinions and my reactions to certain things that are upcoming. Me and Henry have known each other for a long time and have a connection that most people might not know. We felt like it was a good time to be able to team up and show all of you guys.”
The evolution of media has seen former and current pro athletes create their own platforms. It’s no different in MMA, with UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith teaming up for “Believe You Me,” UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen soon to debut “Good Guy & Bad Guy” on ESPN, being among the most notable.
Usman and Cejudo combine for a level of combined career accolades that is simply superior to any other duo, and they plan to lean on that experience when offering analysis, reaction and conducting interviews.
Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo
“The name says it alone,” Cejudo said. “We’re two fighters that have done incredible things in combat sports and I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It’s time for two elite athletes to come together. Not to say none of the other people – Bisping and Smith and whatnot – but I think it’s just different. A different juice, a different swagger. You’ve go the former pound-for-pound and you’ve got the greatest combat athlete of all time, and we’re here to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
With the “Pound 4 Pound” show getting exposure on YouTube, social media and traditional podcast platforms, there are hopes from Usman and Cejudo that this is only the beginning.
“I don’t want you to think it’s just a podcast,” Usman said. “It’s not a podcast. This is a show. This is a show. I might decide to just choke Henry one day and show you guys the technique of how you do the show, or vice versa. So this is a show that you’re getting here. Not just a podcast. But we’re going to be having a lot of great guests on and this is something we’re about to venture in on right now.”
