UFC’s Kamaru Usman: Conor McGregor Calling Me a ‘Bum’ Was ‘Kind of Disrespectful’

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVMay 22, 2024

Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman clapped back this week after Conor McGregor recently made disparaging comments about him.

During an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast (h/t Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting), Usman took aim at McGregor and claimed that the Irishman had the chance to fight him in the past, but didn’t take it:

“If you wanted the opportunity to fight me, I gave Conor two opportunities to fight me. Two opportunities, while I was champion. I gave him two opportunities to fight me. I told him, ‘Hey, if you want a crack at that third belt, who better?’ I was on the run that I was on, who better that he could come up and fight. He talked about it, he bounced back and forth, when he wanted to make his return he said, ‘Yeah, maybe I’ll go up and grab the third belt.’

“It is what it is, Conor. If you wanted to fight, you had your opportunity, but you didn’t. So to call me a bum is kind of disrespectful and I didn’t disrespect you when you were having your troubles, so I think it’s sometimes easier and it’s better—well, it’s not easier—it’s better that you put that whisky bottle down and actually come back to your wits and be a good father and a good role model.”

Usman’s comments were in response to McGregor recently criticizing Usman on a live Q&A by calling him a “bum.”

The 37-year-old Usman was once one of UFC’s biggest stars, as he began his professional MMA career 20-1.

Usman beat Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 235 in 2019 and proceeded to successfully defend it five times against the likes of Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.

The Nigerian Nightmare’s title run came to an end at UFC 278 in 2022 when he was stopped by Leon Edwards. That began a downturn in Usman’s career, as he also lost a rematch against Edwards and then fell to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October.

While Usman is on a three-fight losing streak, it has been years since McGregor last stepped foot in the Octagon.

McGregor has not fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. McGregor suffered a broken leg during that bout, and he has been working his way back ever since.

The Poirier fight marked McGregor’s third loss in four outings, which represented a significant fall from grace for a fighter who previously held the UFC featherweight and lightweight titles.

McGregor is finally scheduled to return to action at UFC 303 in June, as he will clash with fellow The Ultimate Fighter 31 coach Michael Chandler.

Usman said McGregor tearing down both him and other fighters rather than focusing on his own career is “disgraceful.”

Also, while Usman credited McGregor has a great fighter when he is on his game, he suggested that a Chandler knockout win could be on the horizon if McGregor doesn’t hone in on his own preparations.