UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes Conor McGregor lives a 'tough life'.
The pound-for-pound great isn't quite the superstar McGregor is, although he is building a considerable legacy with his frequent world title defences since winning the belt in 2019.
But he claims not to be too concerned about the financial aspect of his role in the sport, which is a huge factor in the thinking behind every move McGregor makes, reports The Mirror.
And speaking on the True Geordie Podcast, Usman admitted that it is probably "hard being Conor", saying that he "can't imagine what he is going through", despite also holding a UFC title.
"My daddy used to always say, 'Everybody loves the chair, but while they're chairing they can't make the move,'" Usman said.
"That's exactly what Conor feels like and I know it - it's tough. I know it's hard being Conor, I know it's hard. I am a champion and I know how hard it is to be the champion now.
"I can't imagine what Conor's going through, that's got to be hard because you can't do anything - people can't wait to move because now people are just waiting to rub it in your face."
Many fighters have called McGregor out over the years, including current lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, but Usman doesn't appear to have much interest in offering him a chance at a third belt.
They have exchanged words in the past, and McGregor's one win since 2016 was in the welterweight division, but the bout doesn't appeal to the Nigerian-born champion.
"Of course you've got the money, you've got all this, you've got all that, but bro, you got knocked out in your last fight," Usman continued.
"And then you've [won] one in your last four or five fights, something like that - people can't wait to throw that in your face.
"So yeah, it's a tough life to lead."
Usman is likely to face Colby Covington in his next title defence, but Leon Edwards also feels he has earned a rematch with Usman after dominating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 last weekend.
Edwards handily won a five-round decision against Diaz on Saturday night, and despite Usman questioning if he deserves a shot at the title, says he must be made number one contender.
"I think I should be the next for the title shot," Edwards told reporters after winning his ninth fight in ten, with the other being a no contest.
"That's nine in a row, ten in a row - there's no one else that's doing what I'm doing and I've offered to fight everybody.
"Khamzat [Chimaev], Nate Diaz, Belal [Muhammad] - these guys are not in top ten, I'm saying yes when everyone is like b****ing and sitting out and complaining.
"They’re all b****ing and making excuses; they say, ‘He doesn’t deserve it.’ Then, who f***ing does? Covington doesn’t.
“Woodley got injured and now he deserves the title shot? I didn’t b****, I didn’t moan, I took my losses on the chin, worked my way back to a nine-fight streak.
“Who else f***ing deserves it?”
