UFC commentator Jon Anik has seen plenty of fighters seduced by the bright lights of Hollywood. Ahead of UFC 278 this weekend, Anik discussed whether UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman’s extracurricular activities – like appearing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and attempting to box Canelo Alvarez – will affect his focus heading into this weekend’s title defense against Leon Edwards.
“It’s a fair question, but [he’s] absolutely not [overlooking Leon Edwards]. Kamaru Usman is the last guy in the roster that’s going to rest on any laurels, and when setting up the pay-per-view ahead of UFC 277 and talking about Amanda Nunes, even if you don’t like the [GOAT] conversation, Kamaru Usman puts a good chunk of his legacy on the line every time he competes — whether he’s fighting Leon Edwards, or Jan Blachowicz, or anybody else.
Jon Anik on Kamaru Usman Going Hollywood
If all of a sudden he wakes up on Sunday morning and he hasn’t tied Anderson Silva’s record, he’s 15-1 in the UFC, and he’s the former welterweight champion, a lot of what he’s building goes away.
Now, his future in the Hall of Fame, that’s entrenched and nobody can take away big chunks of his legacy, but what Kamaru Usman is chasing is all-time greatness. Going 1-1 against Leon Edwards is certainly not going to help that.”
Anik discussed how Kamaru Usman’s focus has shifted from UFC championship to chasing elusive all-time great status. In this sport, that means moving to another weight class to prove his greatness. Usman has repeatedly stated his intent to move up to light heavyweight, a whopping 35 pounds above the 170-pound welterweight limit.
“I don’t know how Kamaru Usman sees Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka compared to Jan Blachowicz, but I don’t think it’s posturing. I think it’s another way to prove his greatness.
Obviously there’s an obstacle there with his friend Izzy at 185 pounds, but I would like to see Kamaru Usman afforded any sort of opportunity that is legacy proving, whether it’s against Canelo Alvarez — I know people don’t want to hear that noise — or Jan Blachowicz, and if he’s able to beat Leon Edwards and is able to knock him out or finish him this weekend, yeah, Chimaev could get by Nate Diaz, Belal Muhammad, Gilbert Burns could potentially build his way back, Kamaru is going to want an immediate challenge. I’m not sure there’s an obvious one right now.”
Kamaru Usman will have the chance to prove himself once more in the main event of UFC 278 this weekend. What do you think of the legacy Kamaru Usman is building? Let us know in the comments.
