Outside Source
Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Islam Makhachev in the main event at UFC 322 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Usman believes he deserves the next title shot against the winner of that fight. However, lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has long been chasing Makhachev (27-1). Some suggest that if Makhachev beats Maddalena (18-2), Topuria might move up to challenge the Dagestani.
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Usman acknowledges that there is a possibility of Topuria jumping the title queue ahead of him. However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” also knows that it’s eventually the UFC’s call.
“Well, it takes two to tango. And of course, there is the company as well. So that’s not a decision just for Ilia to make. It’s the company as well. And if it makes sense for the company and that’s what they want to do, that’s what they are going to do,” Usman told Submission Radio. “Me personally, I feel like I’m next in line for that shot. So if Ilia wants Islam, it is what is. But I do think I’m next in line for that title shot.”
Usman Touts Welterweight Resume
Usman (21-4) won the welterweight title in 2019 and defended it five times before losing to Leon Edwards in an upset head-kick knockout in 2022. Edwards defended his title convincingly in their immediate rematch. Usman then moved up for a one-off middleweight clash against Khamzat Chimaev, dropping a majority decision. Usman recently returned to action after nearly two years and scored his first win since 2021 against Joaquin Buckley. However, with matchups like Ian Garry vs. Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales on the UFC schedule, Usman could face an uphill battle in the race for the next title shot. Usman reminds his detractors that he has only lost to Edwards in the welterweight division.
“Had Joaquin Buckley done what he said he was going to do and finished me, you would absolutely make a case for him that he was next in line for the title… That wasn’t the case,” Usman said. “So now I’m not next for the title? I have lost to one guy in the welterweight division in my whole career, that should tell you something.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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