Watch Kamaru Usman confront Ben Askren before UFC 235 press conference
UFC 235 is shaping up to be one of the best cards the UFC has put out in quite awhile.
Headlining the card will be Jon Jones looking to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Smith. While in the co-main, Tyron Woodley will look to defend his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman. Plus, Ben Askren will make his long-awaited UFC debut against Robbie Lawler.
Although there are a ton of good fights on the card, the biggest rivalry may be between Usman and Askren, who aren’t even fighting each other. Askren has trash-talked Usman countless times calling him ‘Marty from Nebraska’ and that doesn’t sit too well with Usman. It shows in the video, but before that was released Askren brought it up at the press conference, in which fans were hoping to be able to see what happened.
“Marty tried attacking me 20 minutes ago,” Askren said at the press conference, referencing a backstage encounter with Usman.
Here’s a transcript of what Kamaru Usman and Ben Askren said to each other:
“Are me and Marty sitting next to each other?” Askren asked UFC President White.
“Do you know me?” – Usman asked.
“Yeah.” – Askren said.
“How do you know me?” – Usman asked.
“I know you because we used to hang out. We used to hang out at the Olympic training center.” – Askren said.
“Be quiet. You don’t know me.” – Usman said.
“I offered to fight you. There’s not much more to be said there.” – Askren concluded.
Askren has said he wants to fight Usman and the trash-talk the two do to each other sets themselves up for it. No matter of Usman wins or loses his fight against Woodley as long as Askren wins. Usman seems to genuinely dislike Askren while Askren seems to be doing it all in good fun. However, Askren said he came to the UFC to show the world just how good of a fighter he is, and he can finally do that on March 2.
