Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants a shot at Islam Makhachev before retiring.
The former champ is set to face Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Atlanta main event. Kamaru Usman will make his return after months on hiatus, but he already has his sights set on a huge target: Islam Makhachev. The former lightweight champion is expected to fight for the welterweight belt, and Usman hopes to earn a chance at the title. The fighter mentioned he would be open to facing Sean Brady but for now, he remains focused on winning his battle against Buckley.
“I think him and Jack, I think that’s a fantastic fight,” Usman said to Kevin Iole. “I don’t count Jack out. Jack is a very formidable opponent. I said that even before his last fight. I said this is a guy—if you sleep on him, he will ruin your day. He ruined Belal’s year. JDM is definitely no easy out for anybody. So, it’s not just a shoo-in; Islam is gonna come in and get that belt. I do think Islam has the ability to do it, but it’s not going to be easy. Fast forward—I mean, current pound-for-pound versus former pound-for-pound—I think that’s a blockbuster. That would be a great outing to go out there and get another blockbuster before I sail off.”
Although Islam Makhachev is moving up in weight, Kamaru Usman believes the lightweight champ will find success. However, it’s uncertain if Makhachev will remain in the welterweight division long-term but Usman believes it’s good for the sport that Makhachev is stepping up to create new challenges.
“There’s a reason this is the marquee division in the sport—almost in all sports—around this weight class, lightweight to welterweight,” Kamaru Usman said. “It’s the marquee weight class for excitement. I love it. I love Islam coming up. At one point, I would have been a little annoyed with it, but I’m older and wiser now. At the same time, I love Islam—I really care for him. If this is the decision he wanted to make and chose to make, then I’m all for it. As it pertains to me as a fighter, I love it. I believe he’s next to challenge for that title. As a champion going up, you should absolutely get that opportunity if you’re willing to vacate the belt like he did. I love it.”
As for Makhachev, defeating Della Maddalena could open the door for a potential “blockbuster” against Kamaru Usman at some point down the line.
