Kamaru Usman isn’t slowing down in his push for another shot at welterweight gold. With Islam Makhachev now ruling the 170-pound division after moving up and defeating Jack Della Maddalena, the weight class has turned into a race and Usman is right in front making his case.
“Listen, it is what it is,” Usman said on the Pound-4-Pound podcast. “If the company says, ‘We want to book the biggest fight right now in that division,’ it’s hands down, I think we know what the answer is. Former pound-for-pound vs. pound-for-pound.”
Usman isn’t the only one interested. Makhachev has already shown he’s open to the idea, and their manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has been vocal about wanting the matchup. Still, with several contenders in the mix, Usman knows he might not be next, so he’s giving props to the fighters he believes deserve the spot if he doesn’t get it.
“Who else would be worthy? I like a lot of these guys. I’m fans of them. I would say right now, for me, I would say Prates. I still think maybe another fight, because I feel like he’s done so much in such a short time… But I would say Carlos Prates.”
Usman praised Prates’ willingness to fight anyone, win or lose, and highlighted what matchmakers love, activity, hunger, and consistency. He also gave respect to rising contender Michael Morales.
“Morales, too, is also impressive. No hate on these guys. I love what these guys are doing. I’m a fan of these guys, and I’m going to continue to be a fan unless they give me a reason not to be.”
However, one name Usman isn’t putting in the title conversation is Ian Machado Garry, despite Garry being ranked No. 2 and coming off a win over former champion Belal Muhammad.
“Ian’s doing work, too, but you can’t literally sit here and say he’s done more work than what Prates has done… or what Morales has done. Yeah, he’s done good work, too.”
Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Usman and Makhachev, also shared why he’s pushing for the fight to happen next.
“Kamaru Usman has done a lot of things for this company,” Abdelaziz said. “I will campaign for him to get a title fight… I have my argument. For Islam Makhachev’s side, what the f*ck has Ian Garry done the last couple years? I like the kid… but Kamaru Usman is a legend.”
He also revealed that Usman has been willing to take big risks behind the scenes.
“People don’t know this, but he was offered Shavkat last November. Kamaru accepted the fight… Hunter offered me this fight.”
According to Abdelaziz, that’s exactly why a matchup between Makhachev and Usman makes sense.
“Kamaru Usman is one of the biggest names in the division. When you’re Islam Makhachev, you want to have legacy on your name.”
