Kamaru Usman

Athlete

198 Quotes

I got into this sport to make a statement.

One thing about me is that my parents didn't force me to be an athlete.

We didn't have running water. We had to get water from wells, and there was a stint where I lived with my grandma where we had to get water, bring it over to the house. You had to boil the water because you never knew what parasites were in the water.

Nothing but respect for Demian Maia.

Fighters no longer manage themselves: they have a whole team behind them. A fighter has a manager, an agent, a Hollywood agent - they got this and that. And on top of that, they've got their whole team of coaches.

I will be unhappy if RDA ducks me. I will be very unhappy.

My mind is strong.

I'm a realist.

You don't ever want an African father to come to your school looking for you.

I want Dong Hyun Kim. He's a grappler, he's a strong stand-up fighter, and I think that would be a great fight. I think I beat him every and anywhere.

I believe the UFC was sold based on their performance and the services they've provided, so if a company comes in and buys it, they just bought the blueprints of their success. I believe that WME-IMG bought the UFC because of its structure and success.

For what we do training, as a fighter, you have to be able to flip that switch where you turn into that savage, that guy that's prepared to go to war.

Wrestling definitely shaped the direction of my life because, before that, I wanted to fit in so much. I wanted to be one of the cool cats. I was friends with the captain of the football team because he had all the chicks. I wanted to be that guy.

You don't have to be outlandish and saying crazy things and get out of yourself to get headlines or attention.

I believe, if I beat Demian Maia, it's going to be very hard for the other top guys to go around me.

I'm a people watcher, and I love to listen.

I lived with my grandmother for a year when I was very young, and even to this day, when I tell my mother events that took place, she can't believe that I can recall that far.

I always envisioned hearing them say, 'and new,' and wrapping that belt around me and thinking of all the things I was fighting for.

It's my job to show up, make weight, and prepare to be a world champion if that opportunity presents itself.

My parents didn't want me to do this. My dad, when I told him I wanted to wrestle, he told me no, if you're going to play any sports, play baseball.

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