'TUF 21' champ, UFC on FOX 17 winner Kamaru Usman discusses 'C-' performance

ORLANDO, Fla. – Based on his performance at Saturday’s UFC on FOX 17 event, Kamaru Usman said he’s unlikely to make the dean’s list.

Osman (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who won “The Ultimate Fighter 21” earlier this year, kept his perfect UFC record intact with a dominant decision win over welterweight Leon Edwards (10-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC).

Following the preliminary-card bout, which streamed on UFC Fight Pass prior to the FOX-televised main card at Orlando, Fla.’s Amway Center, Usman said he wasn’t exactly thrilled with his effort.

“Just because I’m so hard on myself, I’m going to say my performance was probably a C-, so yeah, I didn’t make the dean’s list,” he said. “I definitely felt like I’m way better than what that showed. That’s how I train and how I prepare, and as much time as I put in – this is my life, and this is everything I do – all my fights have been finishes, and I wanted to go out there and finish it tonight. I just didn’t.

“I was tight. I didn’t open up the way I wanted, and it showed out there.”

The 27-year-old Blackzilian team member said those tough self-assessments have worked well in his career. He’s also confident they’ll eventually result in the ultimate prize.

“I’ve said it, and I’ve said it to myself countless times day in and day out, and I’m going to say it to everyone: Before I’m said and done, I will be king of this division one day,” he said. “And unfortunately, my performance tonight didn’t show it, but when I come back in here next time, it’ll be way better, way more dominant, and you can count on seeing finishes from me.”

Check out the full conversation above.

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