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Since the UFC announced it signed undefeated welterweight Ben Askren in the first trade in major MMA history, the outspoken wrestler has been picking fights with just about everyone even in the vicinity of the 170-pound division. But over the past month or so, most of Askren’s ire has been directed at the man who will be challenging his teammate, welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, for the belt at UFC 235, Kamaru Usman.
Usman and Askren have been engaging in a war of words on social media recently, at the recent pre-fight press conference for UFC 235, Askren said those words almost turned into punches backstage when Usman “threatened” him backstage.
“Marty tried attacking me 20 minutes ago” Askren said at the press conference.
Usman disputed the claim and now we have video evidence of what really happened, courtesy of Anatomy of a Fighter. The video shows Usman approaching Askren backstage before Dana White and security intervene, and while things weren’t quite as physical as had been made out, the situation certainly seemed combustible.
“Are me and Marty sitting next to each other?” Askren asked White.
“Do you know me?” - Usman asked.
“Yeah.” - Askren said.
“How do you know me?” - Usman asked.
“I know you because we used to hang out. We used to hang out at the Olympic training center.” - Askren said.
“Be quiet. You don’t know me.” - Usman said.
“I offered to fight you. There’s not much more to be said there.” - Askren said.
Askren did indeed offer to fight Usman, which is the genesis of their beef. In December, Askren offered to fight Usman for an interim title to save UFC 233. Usman was supposed to fight Colby Covington at UFC 233 but the fight never came to fruition and the card was subsequently canceled entirely. This simple offer rubbed Usman the wrong way though and since then the two welterweights have been at each other’s throats and it seems like the Twitter beef is destined to continue.
I ain’t playing with these clowns man https://t.co/Kp5iniRlcZ
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 3, 2019
Marty you are so tough, so cool and so scary! Shaking in my flip flops https://t.co/dKBSl1k7GI
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 4, 2019
This surely won’t be the last we see of this budding feud as both men are set to compete at UFC 235. Usman will be challenging Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title while Askren will make his promotional debut against former champion Robbie Lawler.
MUST-READ STORIES
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Amanda Nunes reveals she may retire after potential Holly Holm fight.
Jon Jones abnormal drug-test results continue into January, no new doping violation filed.
Dana White calls NAC’s idea to punish fighters over trash talk ‘insane’ and ‘unconstitutional’.
Henry Cejudo says if he fights T.J. Dillashaw at bantamweight, ‘I’m gonna finish him quicker’.
VIDEO STEW
Countdown.
He’s not wrong.
You knew this was coming.
Jason Parillo interview.
Exactly how it happened.
I smell Grammy.
LISTEN UP
6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Fortaleza.
Severe MMA. Discussing UFC Fortaleza and looking ahead to UFC 234.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Respect.
What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2019
I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career.
I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal.
Maybe next time.
Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here.
Looking for a fight.
We have unfinished business, we got close to get it done twice. You pick the weightclass #RDA #Brasil #JesusFirst https://t.co/RMQ9fUv9Q5
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 3, 2019
Good to hear.
Tony is next https://t.co/CnooQWHIJI
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) February 2, 2019
Awkward.
Kevin Lee I hear you’re looking for a fight. We have a young Lion @MAKHACHEVMMA Let’s see if you can get through him.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 1, 2019
The man can’t speak for himself huh. I heard he’s already too hurt https://t.co/JuvmeomsIl
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) February 3, 2019
Hey @MoTownPhenom why aren’t you so loud now? Don’t be scared , accept the challenge. https://t.co/9YaOcUMihD
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 3, 2019
What are you talking about???. March 30, Philadelphia @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite https://t.co/Kpube7cqcY
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 4, 2019
Imma be sipping @NemiroffVodkaCL until somebody get enough balls to wanna fight pic.twitter.com/1zJIMsnLGO
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) February 3, 2019
DC is awesome.
A horrible super bowl is fitting when you cheat! #whodat
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 4, 2019
Maybe pic.twitter.com/TdFcJnFQwR
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 4, 2019
This is something.
#ColbyCovington sure is special. #ufc #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/omb5G7KlTS
— Eric Kowal (@MyMMANews) February 3, 2019
Respect.
Lost to a much better person tonight and a legend of the sport @demianmaia thank you for sharing the @ufc octagon with me. I have work to do and looking forward to coming back better because of tonight! Brazil was good to me #UFCFortaleza
— Lyman Good (@lymangoodmma) February 3, 2019
Thanks Lyman, you are a great martial artist. I worked hard to get better everyday and compete with you. This is our life. Most important thing is the learning thru this journey https://t.co/m47c9dvkIE
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) February 3, 2019
Thank you brother. Every experience is always about learning, whether good or bad. I'm grateful to learn from the best! Thank you for the fight!
— Lyman Good (@lymangoodmma) February 3, 2019
This is honestly uncanny.
My god this McGregor clone who just fought at GMC 18. It's uncanny. Real name: Maurice Adorf (now 2-0). #GMC18 pic.twitter.com/CgkZLWozRA
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 2, 2019
Cain out here popping off Imanari rolls. Sort of.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eduardo Dantas (20-6) vs. Toby Misech (11-6); Bellator 215, Feb. 15.
Joseph Duffy (16-3) vs. Marc Diakiese (12-3); UFC London, March 16.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Maroon Five was responsible for all the worst parts of the Super Bowl halftime show. Imagine how awesome that whole thing would’ve been if it had just been Atlanta musical acts.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who will Dillashaw actually fight next?
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