Kamaru Usman opens up about potential RAF entry after Henry Cejudo's revenge against Merab Dvalishvili

Kamaru Usman has long been beheld as one of the greatest wrestlers to have ever competed in the UFC welterweight (170-pound) division. 

The former UFC welterweight champion has lately been attempting to ascend the ranks at a weight class above, in the UFC middleweight (185-pound) division, to be specific.

Meanwhile, some fans have speculated that the grappling savant could devote some time to compete in the sport of freestyle wrestling as well, what with the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling banner lately attracting several former and current UFC fighters to its mats. The Nigerian-born American fighter has now touched upon that very possibility. 

Kamaru Usman is open to wrestling in the RAF; hails Henry Cejudo after revenge over Merab Dvalishvili at RAF 12

Kamaru Usman and former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo spoke about various topics in the latest edition of their Pound 4 Pound podcast. They were all praise for the glamorous wrestling shows that the RAF has been organizing since its inception last year. 

Usman stated, "It looked great. I gotta make it out to one of these shows. Because I think it's -- so far, with what they've been putting out, it looks spectacular. So I gotta go check it out." Usman added, "You know, maybe..." 

Cejudo chimed in and seemingly questioned whether Usman simply wanted to attend an RAF show as a fan or dust off his wrestling singlet and compete in that sport again. "The Nigerian Nightmare" responded by indicating that he'll always love wrestling. 

Moreover, teasing a potential entry into the RAF, the 39-year-old said, "Like I said, Henry, I never say never, my brother." 

Additionally, Cejudo indicated that some of Usman's former UFC opponents, namely Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Joaquin Buckley, and Khamzat Chimaev, have generated quite a buzz in the RAF. Alluding to potentially lucrative wrestling showdowns against his UFC rivals awaiting him there, Cejudo urged the amateur wrestling veteran to consider donning his wrestling shoes again. 

Well, Usman appeared more than intrigued by the same, saying, "Hey, I like that. I'm not upset with that. Like I said, I never say never. Things could happen." 

Moreover, Usman also acknowledged Henry Cejudo's RAF revenge against archrival Merab Dvalishvili, who'd beaten Cejudo in the UFC a few years ago and in the RAF last month. 

Watch Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo discuss the former's possible entry into RAF below (*comments at the 12:50-minute mark of the video): 

Kamaru Usman's expected UFC middleweight title run was marred in his latest MMA fight

Kamaru Usman suffered a submission loss early on in his career and then notched a 19-fight MMA win streak, going unbeaten in the UFC and reigning as the UFC welterweight kingpin. His reign ended due to the iconic last-round head kick KO by Leon Edwards in their rematch in 2022. Edwards bagged a majority decision win in their trilogy fight the following year. 

Usman then lost again, getting outpointed by Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight match that the ex-welterweight ruler accepted on short notice in late 2023. He bounced back by outpointing Joaquin Buckley at welterweight last year.

However, Usman's latest Octagon appearance ended in a unanimous decision loss against ex-middleweight titlist Dricus du Plessis in -- what many felt was -- a middleweight title eliminator match last month. Ergo, his expected run at UFC middleweight gold has hit a roadblock for the time being.