Watch: Kamaru Usman and other UFC stars try out various firearms at shooting range in Chechnya after invitation from dictator Ramzan Kadyrov
Kamaru Usman and a couple of other top-tier UFC stars recently partook in a firearms training session at the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya.
As reported by Karim Zidan -- a journalist who's known for his coverage of MMA and MMA-related geopolitics -- former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was recently invited to the private academy by the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje were also invited and were present at the academy.
Former UFC champs Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, along with Justin Gaethje, are all currently in Chechnya at the invitation of the republic's warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
Here they are testing out guns at a special forces facility in Gudermes. https://t.co/lJIm8kBHRS
Zidan tweeted a video originally posted on Kadyrov's Telegram channel (Kadyrov_95). The video features the aforementioned trio of UFC stars trying out various firearms at the academy's shooting range, including shotguns, semi-automatic handguns, as well as automatic and semi-automatic rifles.
The veteran MMA fighters also tried out grenade launchers, needless to say, under the guidance of personnel at the academy.
Watch the UFC stars' shooting session highlights in the video below:
Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video of former UFC champs Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo firing grenade launchers and assault rifles at a special forces facility in Chechnyaโa facility that trains Russian soldiers for the country's invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/BxioliBXp4
Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, and Justin Gaethje are all managed by Dominance MMA's Ali Abdelaziz, who's said to have close ties to Ramzan Kadyrov and the latter's Akhmat MMA gym.
Kadyrov has ruled the semi-autonomous republic of Chechnya in Russia since 2007 and is a well-known combat sports fan.
The Chechen politician has been accused of several heinous crimes, including assassinations, abductions, torture, etc., as noted in Karim Zidan's recent report for Bloody Elbow.
Regardless, prominent UFC superstars such as Kamaru Usman have long been associated with Kadyrov. Usman notably visited the alleged warlord in November 2020 and participated in a sparring session with one of Kadyrov's teenage sons. Usman also attended the teenager's birthday party in November 2021 after being personally invited by Kadyrov.
Kamaru Usman provides timeline for the trilogy fight against Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision in December 2015. Their rematch transpired in August of this year, with Usman putting his UFC welterweight title on the line against his Jamaican-born British foe.
In a shocking upset, Edwards won the rematch via fifth-round KO and captured the 170lbs title.
England deserves this. Leon deserves this ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐
Dana is ๐ท๐ผ๐ด๐ท๐ฌ๐ซ. We are ๐ท๐ผ๐ด๐ท๐ฌ๐ซ.
@danawhite confirms the UFC will return to the UK in 2023 for a MEGA show... and @KChimaev will be on the card ๐ฑ
#UFC280 | Saturday, 7PM | BT Sport Box Office https://t.co/imfTORCS6z
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Usman vowed to beat 'Rocky' in their trilogy fight and reclaim his title. The Nigerian-American fighter suggested that he has more fans than Edwards in England, adding that he has several Jamaican and African supporters in the country.
Indicating that their trilogy matchup could transpire in early 2023, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' stated:
"Yeah, I'd go grab that [welterweight title] back probably top of next year. I think we'll make that happen. Of course, like I said that night after it happened, I would love to go to England and do this in England."
Watch Usman's interview below: