Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says a potential title fight against current 170-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev may no longer be as certain as previously rumored.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Pound4Pound Podcast alongside former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) revealed that discussions regarding a shot at Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) have been complicated and remain unresolved.
“The Islam fight was obviously what I wanted and what I felt would have been great, not just for me, not just for Islam, but would have been great for the company, would have been great for the world to see that,” Usman said. “And for some reason, we've had conversations, but Hunter Campbell feels differently. And Hunter Campbell is like, ‘maybe not.’ He wants to go a different (route).”
While Usman did not provide specifics about the UFC’s preferred direction, he admitted that the situation has been fluid.
“We don't know yet (what will happen). They haven't come out and said, 'OK, Islam is going to get this guy or Islam is going with me.' But it's been a tumultuous back and forth with getting that done.”
Usman also disclosed that alternative opponents have been floated, including former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC).
“Other things were presented to me, like potentially (a fight against) DDP was presented to me. Or you know, other guys,” Usman said. “And listen, Henry, there's one thing about me. You know, when they call and they say this guy or that guy or this guy, I don't go, 'oh, maybe, maybe, maybe.' No, I say 'yes.'”
Despite his willingness to compete against top-tier opposition, Usman made clear that his next fight must carry championship implications.
“It has to be meaningful. At this point, it has to be meaningful. I'm not just here to just to fight the fight. It has to be meaningful. If it gets me to the title that I want, that's what I want.”
