Outside Source
Muhammad is scheduled to fight surging welterweight contender Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night 278 on June 6 at the Apex in Las Vegas. Muhammad claims Bonfim and Usman were two potential opponents initially mentioned to him by his manager. However, Muhammad was almost certain he would have to fight Bonfim, as he knew Usman wouldn’t accept.
Advertisement
Muhammad even plans to tell Abdelaziz in person that he is protecting Usman. However, Muhammad also understands Abdelaziz’s predicament. Muhammad notes that Usman is one of the most high-profile fighters that Abdelaziz has managed over the years. However, Muhammad believes “The Nigerian Nightmare” is at the tail end of his career, where he has to wait for a perfect matchup.
Usman was initially rallying for a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, who is also managed by Abdelaziz. However, Muhammad believes Usman won’t get a title shot at welterweight anytime soon, which is why the 38-year-old is teasing a move to middleweight. According to Muhammad, former middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis would be an easy matchup for Usman.
One Chance Left
“I called my manager and he’s like, ‘They’re looking at Kamaru or Bonfim,’” Muhammad told MMAjunkie.com. “So that’s when I was like, ‘Oh, so it’s Bonfim.’… I’ll straight up and tell him that Kamaru is a chicken and [Ali] is trying to protect him. For Ali, he’s in bad spot. Because Kamaru is his golden goose and he knows that he will get smacked around by me. So you got to protect him. Kamaru has one chance left. He’s at that point now where he has to wait for that perfect fight. He’s putting out little feelers out there. Maybe he’ll get a title shot, I don’t think he’ll get at 170. But he’s trying to plant the seeds at 185. DDP would be an easy fight, DDP can’t defend a takedown. And he can’t get up.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
