‘I’m a fan’ - Masvidal credits Usman for ‘beautiful’ KO

Kamaru Usman raises his hand as he is introduced by Bruce Buffer prior to his welterweight showdown with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. | Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images

Jorge Masvidal became a fan of Kamaru Usman after UFC 261.

Jorge Masvidal has handled his knockout defeat to Kamaru Usman at UFC 261 with nothing but class, crediting ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ for his ‘beautiful technique’ in setting up the KO.

Masvidal was knocked out cold after Usman landed a piston of a right hand in the second round, and ‘Gamebred’ says the fight-ending blow turned him into an instant fan.

“I look at it, and I’m like ‘Wow, perfect timing,’” Masvidal told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani (h/t MMA Junkie). “That misleading – I thought he was going in for a shot, and when I realized it wasn’t a shot, it was too late. I was throwing my check left hook, but it was already too late. I read the information wrong, so he sold it to me beautifully, and that’s why he got those results.”

“In that moment right there, I am a fan because I love the sport so much, and it was just beautiful technique.”

Masvidal isn’t sure what’s next, but the ‘BMF’ champ wants to give it at least one final run for the title.

“There were definitely some bad moments and some good moments that came out of that fight,” Masvidal said. “I’m just ready for what’s next, you know?

“I’m 36 years old. I still feel good. I still can push myself in the gym and not be overwhelmed, even by the young guys, so why not give it another run, you know?”

Masvidal is currently #5 in the UFC welterweight rankings.