‘Thick’ Kamaru Usman confident he’ll beat Jan Blachowicz, former light heavyweight champ responds

There was a time when former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, had the confidence he could defeat ex-Light Heavyweight title holder, Jan Blachowicz, inside the Octagon.

That confidence hasn’t wavered one bit.

During a recent interview with Henry Cejudo on the Pound Four Pound Show, “The Nigerian Nightmare” says because he and Blachowicz aren’t so different in walking weight based on a staredown the two men had backstage a few years ago, he still likes his chances.

“You see my arms next to his?… Everybody was talking about ‘he’s a light heavyweight’ but I was out there thick on him,” he said (transcription MMA Junkie). “I’m telling you… I wouldn’t have called for 205 [lbs] if I didn’t think at that point that the style favored me and I could do it.

For Usman, the accomplished wrestler, once the fight gets to the ground, size won’t be much of a factor anyway.

“Everybody’s got power when the fight starts, but you grab their leg and you drag him down… the fight completely changes. And that’s exactly what I was gonna do. Glover Texeira did the exact same thing.”

Upon catching wind of Usman’s latest comments. Blachowicz was quick to respond.

Usman has teased a move up to 205 pounds in the past, and most recently competed at Middleweight, losing to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Oct. 2023, his third straight defeat. With a good frame on him. “The Nigerian Nightmare” wouldn’t have a problem carrying the weight to fight at Light Heavyweight.

As for Blachowicz, he hasn’t competed since losing to Alex Pereira at UFC 291 via split-decision. He was set to return against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 297 but was forced out of the fight with a shoulder injury.

Anyone digging this potential matchup? If so, how do you see it playing out?