MMA is a tough sport. Ask Kamaru Usman, who went from being one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time (behind only GOAT contender GSP), to almost being an afterthought in his own division since losing his title to Leon Edwards three years ago. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ hasn’t fought at 170 since 2023, but that is about to change soon.
The veteran is set to face surging knockout artist Joaquin Buckley in a fight that many feel will determine whether he is officially over the hill or not. Further, Usman feels that if he indeed manages to get through ‘New Mansa’ at their June 14 Fight Night clash, he will be in the already-pretty-backed-up welterweight title picture.
“If I go out there and I put on an impressive performance against Buckley, I’m next in that [the title picture],” Usman told co-host Henry Cejudo on their Pound 4 Pound podcast. But ‘Triple C’ was thinking four steps ahead, and posed a very uncomfortable scenario for Usman—having to fight one of his close friends for the title.
“But can I tell you something, Kamaru, this is where the wrench is being thrown in. You’re boys with Islam, and honestly, I favor Islam in this fight with ‘JDM’. Islam defeats ‘JDM’, you beat Joaquim Buckley. I can already see you just, you know, getting uncomfortable there Kush. Are we going to see a potential matchup with the Nigerian Nightmare and Islam Makachev?” Cejudo asked.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, of course, looks set to move up and fight welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena next. And if Makhachev, who is friends with Usman, wins the title, will ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ fight his friend? Well, Usman is certainly open to it.
MMA: UFC 286 – Edwards vs Usman Mar 18, 2023 London, UNITED KINGDOM Leon Edwards red gloves fights Kamaru Usman blue gloves during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. London O2 Arena UNITED KINGDOM, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPerxHaljestamx 20230318_kab_bk4_237
“Wow, it’s one of those things that we’d have to talk about. Obviously that’s a blockbuster fight—former pound-for-pound and the current pound-for-pound champion. And that’s something we’d have to talk about, because Islam—I, you know, I love those guys—Islam, Khabib, I love them all,” Usman said. But the former welterweight champion’s road to the title probably isn’t going to be as easy as he seems to think.
Why Kamaru Usman will probably not fight for the title even if he beats Joaquin Buckley
A lot of people are waiting for a shot at the welterweight title. At the front of the line is undefeated #2 ranked boogeyman, Shavkat Rakhmonov, who would have fought for the title at UFC 315 if not for an injury, likely to keep him out of action until next year. Then there is the ever-underrated #1 ranked Sean Brady, who is coming off a demolition job against former champ Leon Edwards at UFC London earlier this year.
Then there is the inimitable Ian Garry, who beat knockout artist, Fighting Nerds team member, Carlos Prates, and feels he has done enough to warrant a title shot. But then again, Usman is one of the greatest 170-pounders of all time. Some feel this is why he deserves a chance to reclaim his title, which he lost in the fifth round of a fight he was absolutely dominating.
However, Usman is a bit long in the tooth in terms of MMA standards. At 38, it isn’t clear how long the all-time great will keep fighting. And the UFC does prefer young and fresh blood to be in the title picture over older veterans. Perhaps that conversation with Makhachev will have to wait longer than Usman thinks, as he may have to go through a contender’s bout to fight for the title even if the Nigerian beats Buckley next month.
What do you think about a possible Makhachev-Usman clash for the welterweight title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
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