By our reporter| President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday described Kamaru Usman’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) successful welterweight title defense as a sign that good things and great people can still come out from Nigeria.
Usman had on Sunday defeated Jorge Masvidal in Abu Dhabi to retain the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight world title, scoring a unanimous points decision 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 on the three judges’ cards.
In a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari who described Usman’s win as “emphatic,” hailed the 35-year-old for making Nigerians proud.
The statement read in part, “As the first African-born and Nigerian UFC Champion, President Buhari commends the courageous fighter for finishing strong inside the octagon, proudly flying the green and white colours in distant lands, and reminding the world that good things and great people still come out of Nigeria.”
The President said even as the COVID-19 pandemic has brought sadness to families across the world, Usman’s title defence has brought smiles and joy to Nigerians.
“While the global COVID-19 pandemic may have brought gloom to many families and nations, the President is delighted and gratified that our welterweight champion has lifted our spirits with another professional performance proving that things will surely get better at the fullness of time when we remain committed to our vision.”
“The President wishes Usman the very best and more victories in his career and prays that like fine wine, he improves with age,” the statement concluded.
Usman had earier after his victory said, “Gamebred (Masvidal) is the biggest, baddest dude out there right now and I had to take him.”
“I know a lot of noise was made about him preparing on short notice but all these guys are preparing for one guy and that’s me.
“I’m just at a level better. I have more tools in the tool box and when I need to I can pull them out and use them.”
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