Kamaru Usman isn’t holding back against the online criticism after choosing to pass on a short-notice clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
Rakhmonov was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the headlining bout of the UFC's final pay-per-view of the year on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, the highly anticipated clash was derailed when Muhammad was sidelined by a bone infection in his foot, leaving "Nomad" without an opponent for the big night.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" initially showed interest in stepping up for a last-minute showdown with Rakhmonov, even hinting that he was gearing up in case the opportunity came his way. However, the former UFC welterweight champion later reconsidered, admitting that the date would come too soon for him to be adequately prepared for such a high-stakes clash.
As a result, Ian Garry seized the opportunity to step in and face Rakhmonov, relinquishing his previously scheduled main event spot against Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14.
This decision sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Usman, with many accusing him of avoiding the undefeated Kazakh.
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Usman fired back at the fan backlash over his decision. The 37-year-old Nigerian-born American expressed his frustration, stating that fans were quick to judge without fully understanding the circumstances.
I'm seeing people online going, 'Oh, you're scared, you ducked him,'” Usman said. “When people who are your fans or fans of a fighter don't get their desired wish, 'That's the fight I want,' then it's like, 'Oh no, that guy must be scared because he didn't take the fight.' Like, guys, shut up.
World champion, defending belts time and time again, oh, he's scared? Yeah, shut up. Just because you didn't get what you wanted — guess what? It's like your mom telling you, 'No, you can't have that toy today.' You know, you can't have that toy, so shut your mouth.
Usman was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he suffered a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" is currently navigating the toughest stretch of his career, having lost his 170-pound title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022. Since that defeat, he has struggled, posting an 0-2 record in his past two Octagon outings.