The former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, aims to be the first contender for Islam Makhachev’s title, and believes he has a “great” opportunity to achieve it. Usman (21-4) is one of many options for Makhachev (28-1), who conquered the UFC welterweight title in an outstanding performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last weekend. Makhachev is new to this weight class, having previously been the lightweight champion for a long time before moving up last Saturday. Usman, who held the title from 2019 to 2022, believes it’s the perfect time for the UFC to schedule this matchup.
Makhachev, considered almost universally the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has also expressed his preference for a matchup with Usman over others. He has also said he would welcome UFC two-weight champion Ilia Topuria at 170 pounds. Topuria has won titles at featherweight and lightweight and called Makhachev “the most boring in this game” in a social media post after his victory on Saturday. Usman, 38, said he admires what Topuria has achieved as a two-weight champion, but sees no benefit for Makhachev in that matchup.I think the chances of the fight happening are high. The time would be now. There are many fighters in the welterweight division who could put their name on the list, but, with all due respect, this is also an entertainment business. You want the biggest and most brutal fights, it’s obvious.
Kamaru Usman
Usman lost his title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278, which started a 0-3 streak between 2022 and 2023. He recovered significantly earlier this year when he defeated the promising contender Joaquin Buckley by decision in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in June.Do you foresee Ilia Topuria going up to welterweight, potentially winning the title and then defending it against welterweights? Nobody sees that. So, it would just be to make a huge fight for the company. But in that case, what does Islam have to gain? He really has nothing to gain and everything to lose. If something goes wrong and you lose, you lost against a featherweight, you know?
Kamaru Usman
