Kamaru Usman is not a fan of the political agenda that his UFC 245 opponent Colby Covington continues to push.
Covington, who’s an avid Donald Trump supporter, is often seen wearing his red “MAGA” hat, and even brought Donald Trump Jr.’s book “Triggered” with him to the recent UFC 245 press conference that took place in New York.
UFC welterweight champion Usman (15-1 MMA, 10-0 UFC) doesn’t like the message that Covington’s persona is portraying, which he says is promoting divide in the U.S. Usman is a proud immigrant from Nigeria that made the move to his current home at a young age, and has since made quite the life for himself, which is why he believes that he is, in fact, more American than Covington.
“This country is built off of immigrants, so when did we get to the point where it’s like we need to divide, we need to push this immigrant out, or that immigrant, or separate, and so I feel like that’s what he’s pushing,” Usman said in an interview with Kristine Leahy on FAIR GAME. “That’s what he’s trying to say, and I need to let him know that I am more American than he is. I am absolutely more American than he is.”
“I’m an immigrant who came here, worked his tail off to get to where I am,” Usman added. “I did everything right. I didn’t cheat anybody. I didn’t lie, I didn’t do any of the things that they’re trying to say immigrants do. I didn’t do any of that. I paid my dues, and I got what he wanted. I’m sitting up here, and he’s down here looking up at me, so I need to remind him, I’m more American than he is. I’m the one living the American Dream.”
Usman and Covington have followed similar paths to the top of the UFC’s welterweight division, facing several of the same opponents en route to their current slots. But Usman was able to take things one step further when he captured the undisputed 170-pound title in a dominant win over former champ Tyron Woodley at UFC 235.
He will attempt to make his first title defense on Dec. 14, in a much-anticipated grudge match vs. Covington, a bout in which things have gotten very heated and personal.
Covington has had his fair share of issues with the UFC, resulting in him getting stripped of the interim title he once held, and Usman thinks this is a result of him acting entitled, whereas he kept quiet and put the work in to get to the top.
“He’s never experienced anything that I’ve experienced,” Usman said. “He’s never seen what I’ve seen. He’s never walked the path that I’ve walked. I feel like he’s a guy of privilege, so he feels like he should be the champion. He feels like he should be awarded these things.”
