Kamaru Usman Credits Former UFC Champion Rashad Evans for Mentorship

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender Kamaru Usman will take on grappling ace Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 129 in Chile this Saturday night.

The 31-year-old Usman has been competing in mixed martial arts for less than six years and has a strong wrestling pedigree as a three-time All-American champion, as well as Division II National titleholder at University of Nebraska Kearney.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” was introduced to MMA following an invitation to train with what would become the Blackzilians in South Florida and told FanSided.com that he’s been preparing for big fights like the one on Saturday night for a while now:

“My mentor is ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans and I’ve been on the road with him,” said Usman. He served as an understudy with Evans among other skilled veterans.

“I’ve done this whole process with him countless times, including where he’s headlining a pay-per-view and I did his media tour with him, I did the workouts with him, I travelled with him, so I’ve seen it first-hand. He’s essentially prepared me for these moments and so how ironic is it that to fly out to get here, he drove me to the airport?”

Usman was considered a huge talent before he inked a deal with the UFC and he has not disappointed. His “work harder than all” approach has seen him go 7-0 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Leon Edwards and Warlley Alves.

Training with the Blackzilians has allowed Usman to become an extremely well-rounded fighter, constantly taking on world champion caliber fighters. The experience taking on these types of athletes has given him unbridled self-belief and confidence, which is evident in his fights so far.

On Saturday night in Chile in the headlining bout, he’ll get another chance to show his credentials against a very crafty veteran in Maia. Up to this point in his relative short MMA career, Usman has never fought anyone with the name and grappling ability of the Brazilian, but he’ll be up for the challenge come Saturday night:

“Demian Maia is Demian Maia -- he’s a legend in the game and he’s been in the game a long time. Nothing but respect for him, but it’s my time to take over and showcase that it’s my time now.”