Francis Ngannou claims ‘Kamaru Usman didn’t train properly’ for UFC 286 loss to Leon Edwards

Francis Ngannou claimed his friend Kamaru Usman didn’t train properly because he was injured for much of his training camp ahead of the UFC 286 loss to Leon Edwards,

The former UFC heavyweight champion, who left the organization to pursue other opportunities earlier this year, is close friends with Usman and claimed ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ wasn’t all quite fit to headline in London this weekend.

Usman lost a decision to Edwards, who retained his welterweight title at home over the weekend.

Ngannou said on his YouTube channel: “I know he didn’t train. He didn’t have [time] training properly because of a lot of injuries, but he was there.

‘He was there. It’s a win, an unfortunate win, but I think he’s mentally healthier now than before.

Ngannou added: “Usually when people are knocked out they don’t come back into the fight. Like, they’ll be like wobbly, it [Usman] was there before which is like a lot of steps back.

“I know he didn’t train, he didn’t have to train properly because of a lot of injuries, but he was there.”

And he also thinks Usman can come back and win his old belt again, whether it’s against ‘Rocky’ or someone else.

‘Let’s see what happens next. I believe he will get it back. I believe it, he said.

Usman has insisted his training camp since being knocked out by a head kick last August has gone perfectly and revealed no problems himself.

He credited Edwards’ game plan afterwards, with ‘Rocky’ able to defend takedowns and land punishing shots, often to the knees.

Usman has struggled with his knees throughout his career and often wears a brace for training.