Kamaru Usman wants to bring the UFC to Africa
Tonight, Kamaru Usman could make history. If is to beat Tyron Woodley in the co-main event of UFC 235, Usman will be the first ever UFC champion from Africa. But, if he fails to do so, the African takeover is happening with top contenders like Israel Adesanya, Francis Ngannou and prospects like Sodiq Yusuf and Don Madge. With that, Usman is hoping to help bring the UFC to Africa.
“Let’s think about it. We’ve got some big guns,” Usman explained to MMANews. “Africans, we’re on the map. Guys really making a splash. Francis Ngannou can headline. Look at a new superstar in Israel Adesanya, also from Nigeria, he can come in and do big things. Look at the young gun we’ve got coming up Sodiq Yusuff. Another beast coming up and then you’ve got Razak Al-Hassan from Ghana. Right there, all these west African countries.
“We can definitely do a card there. You top it off with a title defense. I wouldn’t mind bringing Colby Covington down to Nigeria.”
Ultimately, Usman has to win first as he wants his first title defense to be in Africa. It would be historic for the UFC to do so, but with all the talent coming through Africa, it makes sense for the promotion. They have gone to Abu-Dhabi so nothing is stopping them from going to Africa and having a historic UFC event.
Meanwhile, Adesanya who fights for the interim belt at UFC 236 is also on board with the plan of the UFC going to Africa. And, says after he wins the belt he will go home with it.
“He wins, I win, we’ll do a f*****g tour around Africa,” Adesanya said about returning to his homeland with Usman. “I mean it will be beautiful.”
For now it remains a dream but with top fighters coming it may very well be a reality soon.
