Kamaru Usman (Photo/Getty Images)Kamaru Usman is a UFC champion who hasn't lost a fight in more than seven years.
But he is still a man looking for respect.
Most of the focus entering Usman's upcoming fight hasn't been on him this week, but more on his opponent.
Usman is scheduled to battle Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight title fight on Saturday at UFC 251 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Masvidal stepped in on short notice after Gilbert Burns was forced to withdraw as Usman's opponent.
Masvidal caught the attention of the wrestling and mixed martial arts world last year when he scored a stunning five-second knockout over Olympian Ben Askren.
Masvidal is an aggressive and dangerous fighter who has become popular with fans.
Even though there has been the usual banter and smack talk between fighters, Usman respects his opponent.
"I know he's tough," Usman said in an interview after the bout was announced. "And I know it will be a dogfight."
Masvidal agreed to travel halfway around the world and fight on short notice for an opportunity to fight in a UFC main event. And cash in with a lucrative payday. Both fighters will earn big money while headlining the UFC card Saturday.
Usman also has had to make a quick adjustment while training for a different opponent.
"I just did a full training camp preparing for another guy," he said. "I'm the one risking everything here by agreeing to fight Masvidal. If he gets beat, he has a built-in excuse because he took the fight on short notice."
The 33-year-old Usman is a tough, hard-nosed fighter whose record speaks for itself. He has a 16-1 record in mixed martial arts since turning pro in 2012. He has won his last 15 fights, including 10 in the UFC.
Usman defeated Tyron Woodley in March 2019 to win the UFC welterweight title in 2019 before defeating Colby Covington late in the year to retain his 170-pound belt.
Usman is well-known to wrestling fans. He won an NCAA Division II championship for Nebraska-Kearney in 2010 before making a University World Team in freestyle for the U.S. later that year.
He wrestled on the Senior level for a couple of years before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Usman has drawn criticism at times for not being flashy enough and not being known for his knockout ability. He's an excellent wrestler who is adept at taking opponents down before punishing them on the ground. He possesses a strong gas tank that comes from his wrestling background.
But in his most recent fight, Usman put on a show to win a hard-fought and entertaining slugfest with Covington. He was effective with his striking ability on his feet while relying on a strong right hand. He is a powerful athlete who has developed into an excellent all-around fighter.
In the win over Covington, Usman looked very sharp in all phases of his game. He was the superior striker as the fighters chose to slug it out on their feet for much of the bout. He also was effective with front kicks to his opponent's body.
Usman floored Covington with a vicious right hand that knocked him down late in the fight. Usman followed by jumping on top of his opponent and firing off a barrage of punches before the referee stepped in to stop it.
It was an impressive performance and his bout was chosen as Fight of the Night by the UFC.
Usman has never been taken down in his UFC career. That's an incredible stat.
He's also dealt with his share of adversity during his career. And his upcoming fight will be another major obstacle for Usman.
"This is what champions are made of," he said earlier this week. "You can't always control the circumstances. What I can control is being prepared to go out and do my thing."
Usman also had to quickly refocus. After learning the fight with Burns was off Friday night, he said he ate a big dinner in Las Vegas while thinking he no longer needed to make weight.
The next day, Usman was about to dive into a Mexican meal and have a beer at the airport in Dallas. But he then received a call that the fight was back on and Masvidal had agreed to step in as a replacement.
Usman was scheduled to fly to Abu Dabi early this week with just a few days left before weigh-ins for the fight.
"I have always been professional," he said. "and made weight."
Almost exactly one year after he scored his quick knockout over Askren, Masvidal will fight Usman for the UFC title.
"I'm happy for this opportunity because I get to break his face," Masvidal said. "People see the violence that I bring. Now I get to prove to the world how good I am against Usman. I can't wait to come home with that belt."
Masvidal is so confident that he was actually talking in an interview this week about future opponents he would face after he wins the UFC title.
One thing is certain. The Usman-Masvidal showdown promises to be an entertaining fight between two guys who don't like each other very much.
For Usman, a 3-1 favorite to win the fight, his quest for respect continues. Even though he's never lost in the UFC and his only career setback in mixed martial arts came in 2013.
"It's been the story of my career," he said of being disrespected. "But at the end of my career, people will remember who won and who lost.
"All I can do is go out there and do my job, which is win. There is always pressure -- it's always there. It's just a matter of how you deal with it. I'm just excited that the fight is finally here."
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games, written 10 books and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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