Kamaru Usman Creates Tension on Stage After Boldly Claiming Next Shot at Middleweight Title

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently outlined a plan for middleweight title contention in front of Nassourdine Imavov.

Kamaru Usman Creates Tension on Stage After Boldly Claiming Next Shot at Middleweight Title

Kamaru Usman reveals middleweight title defences in front of Nassourdine Imavov (via Instagram, Yahoo Sports)

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In the upper weight divisions of the UFC, movement between classes has become increasingly common as former champions look for renewed stakes and legacy opportunities. Multi-division ambitions are regularly mapped out, often alongside active contenders. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently outlined a plan for the final part of his career, including a shot at the middleweight title.

Usman made his UFC debut in 2015 and continued on a path of destruction with a 15-fight win streak and five title defenses against the likes of Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns. However, this was halted by Leon Edwards at UFC 278 when he knocked out the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ with a vicious head kick, which ended Usman’s reign as the welterweight kingpin.

After losing the rematch against Edwards at UFC 286, Usman moved up to the middleweight division for a fight against current 185-pound kingpin Khamzat Chimaev. However, it ended in a majority decision loss for the former welterweight champion, who was now on a three-fight losing streak. Usman recently highlighted his wish to fight for the middleweight title next in front of #2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov.

I’m sure that the real fans out there can agree that what would be spectacular… To go out there and win the welterweight title. Leave it, then move up [to] middleweight and take that title as well. No offense, Nassourdine.

Kamaru Usman via UFC ON TNT

Usman would overlap with existing contender routes, including athletes like Imavov already advancing in that division. Imavov recently cemented his claim to the title shot after a dominant performance against former undefeated contender Caio Borralho at UFC Paris. The only obstacle for Imavov was Reinier De Ridder. However, RDR’s recent loss to Brendan Allen further confirmed his hopes for a title shot.

The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ has remained vocal regarding a title shot at welterweight. He revealed that he wanted to fight the winner of the upcoming welterweight title fight at UFC 322 between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. Usman also revealed that he would vacate the welterweight belt if he won it and would move up for the middleweight belt before retirement.

A championship capture at middleweight would elevate Kamaru Usman’s resume into the narrow category of multi-division UFC champions and place him among the sport’s most documented legacy cases. The path is not unilateral, however, as active contenders and former champions occupy the current middleweight landscape, all positioning for a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev.

Kamaru Usman talks about why he does not want to fight Belal Muhammad

Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad recently stated on a podcast appearance that he once slapped Kamaru Usman and suggested that the former champion had been avoiding a matchup with him. Muhammad has been publicly positioning himself for a fight against Usman as part of his campaign to secure a high-stakes bout while he holds a position near the top of the welterweight rankings.

Kamaru Usman talks about why he does not want to face Belal Muhammad
Kamaru Usman talks about why he does not want to face Belal Muhammad (via MMA Fighting)

Usman returned to the win column with a victory over Joaquin Buckley after suffering three consecutive defeats that removed him from immediate title contention. In the aftermath of that comeback victory, rumours circulated about a potential matchup between Usman and Muhammad as a relevant eliminator. Usman recently weighed in on why the Muhammad matchup does not interest him.

Right now Belal is ranked #1, and I’m below him. I’m looking at the title… I have nothing to gain from fighting Belal Muhammad. He has all to gain… I’m not here to waste time. I wanna get the title and I wanna continue on my track of defending.

Kamaru Usman via UFC on TNT Sports

In the current welterweight table, Muhammad sits in the upper tier of the list while Usman remains in the middle after his recent skid. A clash between them would realign the incentive structures: Belal Muhammad would attempt to remove a former champion to cement his case. At the same time, Kamaru Usman would seek to eliminate a higher-ranked contender to reinsert himself into the title lane.

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