In the early hours of Sunday morning, Kamaru Usman will set out to do what no African UFC fighter has done before him. Win a UFC title. In Tyron Woodley, Usman faces his sternest test to date. The TUF 21: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians winner is currently riding the crest of a wave as his 14-1 record suggests. The Nigerian Nightmare goes into his first title fight on the back of victories over Rafael dos Anjos and Demian Maia but in Tyron Woodley, who will be making his 5th welterweight title defence, Usman is expecting nothing but a tough fight.
“I expect the best version of Woodley ever, I anticipate a tough guy that hits hard and is extremely explosive. I’ve prepared for him. As soon as I enter the Octagon, I will adjust to his hits; I believe nobody in the UFC is as versatile as I am right now.”
With confidence high and fight preparation complete, Usman steps into the Octagon on Sunday morning for the 10th time in what will be the biggest fight of his career. “Training has gone well. I always make sure that I put myself through a tough training camp, I’m fight ready and I know nothing will surprise me on Saturday night. It’s all gone to plan.”
Regardless of the outcome of the fight with Woodley, one thing you can be assured of is that Usman will give nothing less than 100%. “I’m going to give it my all. I will show fans that I’m the worthy number one welterweight fighter in the UFC. Not only do I have the skills to become champion but the heart to make it happen too.”
Should Usman take the title from Woodley in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, he will firmly cement himself into the annals of UFC folklore by becoming the first African champion in the organisations 25-year history. If victorious, could we see a UFC event on the African continent? Only time will tell.
Main Card 3am Sunday 3rd March
Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith – Light Heavyweight Title
Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman – Welterweight Title
Robbie Lawler vs. Ben Askren – Welterweight
Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang – Strawweight
Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz – Bantamweight
Prelims 1am Sunday 3rd March
Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov – Featherweight
Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker – Light Heavyweight
Cody Stamann vs. Alejandro Pérez – Bantamweight
Diego Sanchez vs. Mickey Gall – Welterweight
Fight Pass Prelims 11:30pm Saturday 2nd March
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Charles Byrd – Middleweight
Gina Mazany vs.Macy Chiasson – Bantamweight
Polyana Viana vs. Hannah Cifers – Strawweight