Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman are making it clear they want a fight, and they’re doing everything in their power to make it happen.
After UFC 322, where Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight title, he immediately called for his first defense to be against former champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, a fighter with five title defences and a legacy cemented as one of the greatest welterweights of all time, hasn’t been shy about accepting the challenge. On Saturday, both men continued to push for the matchup.
Backstage at UFC 324, Makhachev and Usman met for a good-natured faceoff, with Khabib Nurmagomedov present to add some extra intensity. Makhachev, the current No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, is building a resume that could place him among the all-time greats. Usman, a future Hall of Famer, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta in June, marking his first victory in nearly four years.
“Usman is one of the best fighters the sport has ever seen,” Makhachev said. “I want him next. I want the challenge. That’s what a champion does.”
Even with rising contenders like Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov making waves at 170 pounds, Makhachev remains focused on Usman for his next fight. Both fighters share the same manager, Ali Abdelaziz, giving Makhachev a strategic edge in negotiations. UFC officials are expected to finalize their 2026 schedule soon, and a spring showdown between Makhachev and Usman is a real possibility.
While the backstage meeting at UFC 324 was cordial, the competitive fire between Usman and Makhachev is evident. Both fighters respect each other, but once the fight is official, their rivalry will likely ignite in the Octagon.
“If they don’t match me with Usman first, we have other great options,” Makhachev added. “But this fight makes the most sense for the division, the fans, and my legacy.”
If Usman isn’t next in line, the UFC could turn to UFC 322 winners Michael Morales or Carlos Prates, both of whom scored emphatic knockouts, or even the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, who hasn’t fought since defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310.
For now, though, all eyes are on the potential Usman vs. Makhachev clash, a fight that could define the modern welterweight division.
