Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman Launch Pound 4 Pound Podcast
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Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman have already reached the pinnacle of their sport.
As both begin new chapters in their MMA careers, they are also joining together to start a new endeavor:
The Pound 4 Pound podcast.
Courtesy P4P
“We’re coming for all of the top shows,” said Cejudo. “So look out DC [Daniel Cormier], Chael Sonnen, Demetrious Johnson, Michael Bisping–we’re coming for all of you.”
Available on YouTube and across all audio platforms and produced by Shadow Lion, a new episode drops every Thursday. In addition to guest interviews, Cejudo and Usman break down fights, discuss breaking news, and share their unfiltered opinions.
“This is going to be the number-one combat sports show,” said Cejudo. “We’re here to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the mother------ truth.”
In addition to prolific success in the sport, Cejudo and Usman have known each other for decades. The friendship between the two dates back to their time in amateur wrestling. Usman first became aware of Cejudo during high school, researching every bit of information about Cejudo as he became National High School Wrestler of the Year in 2006.
“I got into wrestling late, but once I got in, I remember looking around at all the best wrestlers,” said Usman, who also enjoyed an excellent high school wrestling career. “That’s when I started hearing about Henry, and then we were blown away when we heard Henry was at the Olympic Training Center training for the Olympics. We’re like, ‘Who the f--- is this?’ Then he won the gold.”
Cejudo and Usman eventually crossed paths in 2011 when both were training for the 2012 Olympics. That marked the point in time when Usman was attempting to break through onto his first Olympic squad, and Cejudo was training to make his Olympic return.
“That backfired,” said Cejudo with a smile, in reference to not making the U.S. team in 2012. “All these comebacks keep backfiring on me.”
Courtesy Henry Cejudo
Usman was also among those who did not qualify, but not all was lost. The two formed a bond, one that became fortified during their subsequent championship runs in the UFC.
“I could always tell Kamaru’s passion wasn’t wrestling,” said Cejudo. “He was too busy kicking people. So neither one of us made that Olympic team, but we both became UFC champions around the same time.
“And right away, I had so much respect for him. That’s only grown. I love his story. He came from Nigeria, worked hard, and eventually took to the sport. My mom is an immigrant, so I really respect the way he made the most of his opportunities in America. Kamaru has a really amazing story, and he’s only in chapter two.”
An interesting element to the show is that Cejudo and Usman both remain active fighters. An Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and a former two-division UFC champion, Cejudo has lost both fights since his return last May–but the 37-year-old still hungers for more, specifically a bout against Brandon Moreno.
After a legendary run as UFC welterweight champion, Usman, 36, lost his middleweight debut against Khamzat Chimaev in October. That was a three-round bout that would have significantly favored Usman had it been extended to five, so it will be fascinating to hear Cejudo and Usman breakdown their next fights in terms of opponents and division.
“I can’t wait to see the return of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’,” said Cejudo. “Personally, I would love to see Kamaru against Shavkat [Rakhmonov] or Belal Muhammad. That would really excite me. If the fight against Khamzat was five rounds, he’d have won and would be fighting for the middleweight strap.”
When the subject of future fights arose, Usman did not hesitate to share his insight on one he is looking forward to watching.
“I really want to see Justin Gaethje-Islam Makhachev,” said Usman. “This is Gaethje’s second go-around against a Khabib-esque fighter. I want to see the new-and-improved Gaethje against Makhachev.”
Breaking down fights will be a staple of Pound 4 Pound, as well as presents a forum for both men to showcase the depth of their personalities. And for two extremely competitive souls, this represents a chance to compete with one another through the spoken word.
“We’ve both been to the top, so we can relate, but we can also agree to disagree,” said Cejudo. “We don’t like all the same flavors. It’s an unscripted show, and neither one of us is holding back. Entertaining, educating, asking the right questions, that’s what we are going to do.”
“Maybe we’ll even fight some of the guys from the other shows, too,” added Usman with a laugh. “DC wants a fight? I’ll fight him. Henry can fight DJ.”
