The UFC landscape has been shaken up, and Kamaru Usman, one of its key figures, is ready to acknowledge the shift. After Israel Adesanya’s upset loss to Dricus Du Plessis, he declared that the era of the “Three Kings” had come to an end.
Usman admitted, “The Three Kings era is over,” reflecting on the loss that shook the MMA world. But he didn’t linger on the past. Instead, he looked forward, acknowledging Du Plessis as the fourth African UFC champion and marking the beginning of a new chapter.
“We moved on from the three kings to the four horsemen,” said Usman via Pound 4 Pound Podcast.
Usman’s acceptance of Du Plessis as part of the new guard was more than just a passing remark. He’s open to hosting Du Plessis on his podcast, where they can delve deeper into what this changing of the guard means for African fighters and the UFC at large.
While some might expect bitterness, Usman’s approach is refreshingly optimistic. He sees the evolution of African champions in the UFC as a positive development. Instead of being stuck on the past glory of the “Three Kings,” he’s ready to embrace what comes next.
Kamaru Usman Talks About The Time He Sparred ‘Not So Sharp’ Dricus Du Plessis
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ recently opened up about his past sparring sessions with Dricus Du Plessis. Usman didn’t hold back when describing Du Plessis’ early days in the gym. With his signature mix of honesty and humor, Usman shared some intriguing insights on the evolution of the current UFC Middleweight Champion.
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Kamaru Usman’s recollection paints a picture of a fighter who wasn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, at least not back then. He described Du Plessis as someone who wasn’t the most technically sound or clean in his movements.
“He’s not the sharpest, he’s not the cleanest, but there’s just got to be power. It’s been a few years, but I sparred him way back in the day, and I don’t remember [him being that powerful],” said Usman via Pound 4 Pound Podcast.
Kamaru Usman noted that despite these perceived shortcomings, Du Plessis has managed to evolve into an effective and dangerous competitor. He acknowledged that Du Plessis has become savvy in the game, particularly his ability to advance to dominant positions during fights.
Usman’s recollections serve as a reminder that MMA is as much about heart and grit as it is about technique. Though Du Plessis didn’t start off as the sharpest fighter in the gym, he has certainly carved out his place at the top of the sport.
Also Read: Kamaru Usman Reveals Plans To Dethrone Belal Muhammad
