“The Future” sparks controversy with “The Nigerian Nightmare”: A heated verbal clash arises between rising star Ian Garry and former champion Kamaru Usman, with accusations and criticisms over a refused fight.
Respect Turned into Hostility
The UFC welterweight division is witnessing intense tension after Ian Garry, ranked seventh worldwide, accused Kamaru Usman, ranked third and former welterweight champion, of refusing to face him. Usman, in turn, did not stay silent and revealed old messages showing Garry’s admiration for him during his reign.
Speaking on his podcast “Pound 4 Pound” with Henry Cejudo, Usman said:
“He was a fan of mine, a big fan!”
Ian Garry: “It’s a Fact, Usman Refused the Fight!”
In an interview with Swedish media, Garry strongly criticized Usman after the latter disclosed their private messages, asserting that Usman’s refusal to face him ruined all respect he had for him:
“I used to respect him a lot, but when the same person refuses to face you, your opinion of them changes. I don’t care about his excuses. For me, he’s an arrogant person.”
He added:
“I used to watch him when I was just an amateur and admired his fight against Gilbert Burns. But today, he’s not the person I thought he was.”
Kamaru Usman Responds: I Don’t Refuse Anyone
Usman claimed that he does not avoid any fight, pointing to his record as evidence. His most recent bout was against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, a short-notice middleweight clash that ended with a majority decision loss.
Usman is now preparing for a major fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 312, aiming to reclaim his position in the welterweight rankings.
Will the Octagon Be the Final Chapter?
Despite Ian Garry’s recent loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, the tension between “The Future” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” could set the stage for a major showdown in the future.
Will we witness a decisive battle between Garry and Usman?
The question remains open, but it’s clear that a clash between them would be one of the most exciting matchups in UFC welterweight history.
