BRUTAL Kamaru Usman is desperate to fight Jorge Masvidal behind closed doors so everyone can "hear him squeal like the pig he is".
The pair could still meet at UFC 249 after the headline bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson on April 18 was called off.
Khabib is in his native Russia and due to travel restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, is not able to make the journey.
Masvidal and Dustin Poirier both put their names forward to step in for the Russian champ, while Conor McGregor was also a potential replacement.
However, now there is a chance Usman and Masvidal could do battle.
Both MMA stars have been talking the talk and accusing the other of ducking the fight.
And if they can arrange a last-minute bout, Nigerian Usman would prefer it to take place inside an empty arena so the TV microphones pick up every noise rival Masvidal makes.
The welterweight champion said in an Instagram video: "The real reason I wanted the fight is because, guys, this guy is so much hype, he understands, he knows he can’t hold a candle to who I am, to what I can do. He knows that.
"This guy is all hype. He relies on the hype. He relies on all the casual fans to jump on the bandwagon; that’s what he’s relying on.
"But I knew that fight would not have people in the stands; it would be empty. So old school wrestling style, like I be doing way back in high school, just us in the gym, we don’t need the crowd, we don’t need anybody.
“You know why, guys? Because I want you guys to hear what I’m about to say to him in there.
"I want you guys to hear every blow. I want you guys to hear, once I take him down, every punch, every elbow, every ground-and-pound strike I throw.
I want you guys to hear him squeal like the pig that he is.
"I want you guys to hear him squeal like the pig that he is.
"I’m not even sure he’s Cuban, guys. He could be Puerto Rican or Dominican, something, and they’re not even claiming him. Not even Mexico is claiming him.
"Y’all see him wearing a Mexican colour one day; the next day he’s wearing this, he’s wearing that. Nobody is claiming this guy, but I wanted you guys to hear him squeal like a pig, like the little b**** that he is.
"I wanted you guys to hear the weird sounds he’s going to make once I elbow him and I’m slicing up his face and dropping hammers on his face. I wanted you guys to hear all that.
"Nobody in the stands, no fans to cheer him on so he feels like he’s somebody, nobody, just me and him, that’s how I like to break guys."
As things stand, the major problem for the UFC is that they are still without a confirmed venue should they even manage to get two fighters willing and able to do meet.
That is because the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has refused to sanction the event due to the increasing danger and seriousness of Covid-19.
Even if an arena can be arranged, the chances are there would be no fans allowed to attend because of guidelines on social distancing to prevent the spread of the disease, which has now claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people in the USA.
It is safe to say Masvidal and Usman do not see eye to eye and their rivalry took another bitter twist in January when they had to be pulled apart at a Super Bowl pre-event.
Masvidal has already declared he is available on April 18 and willing to fight – although his management team insist they cannot get hold of Gamebred who has not been training.
But the American hit back at Usman by tweeting: "Second time I say yes to the crotch sniffing champ, second time he has a date."
He then fired shots at Usman's promoter Ali Abdelaziz: "Shut up Ali. Writing tweets for your client. The only thing I’m cutting off is your boy's head. Wouldn’t take it on 7 weeks notice he’s not taking it on 2 weeks notice. Clout chasing just like the clout chasing fragile dude."
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