In case there was question, Kamaru Usman isn’t done yet.
Following his UFC 286 loss to Leon Edwards on Satuday at The O2 Arena in London, Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC) addressed the crowd with class as he vowed to keep on fighting despite being on the first multifight losing skid of his career.
“I think I did enough to win the fight, but I knew it was a close fight,” Usman told commentator Daniel Cormier in the cage after the fight. “Great game plan. Great game plan. You know, I’ve always said it from the start: I knew I’d see Leon again, and we did it. I’m not done. I’ll see him again, but he put on a hell of a game plan. I’ve always given him props for everything he’s been able to accomplish. He’s a brother, like myself. Much respect. London, you’ve got yourself a hell of a guy, a great champion.”
With the defeat still minutes fresh, Usman didn’t reveal a specific timeline for his targeted return. He wants to go back to his life as a father first, but Usman said fans shouldn’t expect he’ll be out of action for an extended period of time after a majority decision loss to Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC).
“I’m going to get back with my coaches because I’m one of those guys, I can’t sit for too long,” Usman said. “I start getting antsy. I’m going to talk to my coaches. I’ll get back, sit back, and relax, spend some time with my daughter. You (fans) get to come here and get entertained by us, but a lot of you guys don’t know what we go through in training camp just to prepare for this, just to get in there and give you guys a show. So guys, much respect to the fighters. We put it on the line for you guys each and every time.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.