Former UFC middleweight champion Kamaru Usman has named four opponents as possible candidates for a return to welterweight.
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Despite his impressive run as champion of the division, including five title defenses in two and a half years, he hasn't returned to welterweight since losing to Leon Edwards in March 2023. But as Usman pointed out in his latest article, that could change soon. Pound 4 lbs exterior:
“There's a good chance one of these guys will win. [Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry, Jack Della Maddalena, Belal Muhammad]”They're a wave of fighters, they're the hottest fighters right now. I think they're the new hot girls in the division right now. … If I'm staying at welterweight, I'm going to have to pick one of them,” Usman said.
Usman remains the No. 1 ranked welterweight contender despite being inactive at welterweight for nearly 500 days, with his most recent bout coming in a sudden loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight in October 2023. Usman's performance as a champion and his willingness to face Chimaev likely earned him favor with the UFC, putting him in a strong position to return.
One of those fighters is Belal Muhammad, who will be fighting for the welterweight title at UFC 304, so Usman could well have another shot at a title shot. That said, Usman will be looking to pull off a successful defeat of rival Edwards on July 27 in Manchester.
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“As a fan, I'm disappointed with this game. [Edwards-Muhammad 2] It should have happened already,” Usman said. ESPN“…I like that Leon is riding a wave of confidence right now. I think he understands the responsibilities of being champion. …But what I want to see from him is a killer coming out. If he knows he's at the top, he's got to prove it to every challenger who wants to take his place.”
Combat fans will just have to wait and see if the welterweight situation changes at the conclusion of UFC 304 later this month.
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