Kamara Usman has a message for The Champ @TWooodley pic.twitter.com/dKqNZETmCi
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 20, 2018
“The Nigerian Nightmare” was able to utilize his wrestling and takedown defense to nullify Maia’s ground game and earned him a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
After the fight, Usman went on record by calling out the current welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley:
“Hey, champ: You know my social media hasn’t changed since I got in the game five years ago,” Usman said (transcript courtesy of MMA Junkie).
“Welterweight, and I’m coming for that gold strap. And with that performance, even with some handicaps, no one can deny that I’m definitely top five right now in the division.”
Woodley, who was working as an analyst for this broadcast on FOX Sports 1 quickly fired back:
“Kamaru Usman, congratulations,” Woodley said. “I don’t ever want to take away the credit. Demian Maia is a game opponent. Me as the champion, I’m always welcoming any challenger. Just make it to that point, I’ll be on the other side of the Octagon.
I did see a couple things that if you do against me, you might end up waking up with the smelling salt. But hey, hats off to you. Great job. Just being real.”
UFC President Dana White has already stated that Woodley will fight the winner of the interim title fight between former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington at UFC 225 on June 9 in Chicago.