Islam Makhachev targets Kamaru Usman for next title defense

Islam Makhachev is precise wide astir his archetypal UFC welterweight challenge. Despite facing disapproval from fans and the media, helium insists his archetypal defence should beryllium against Kamaru Usman. Makhachev won the loop against Jack Delle Maddalena astatine UFC 322 successful November and is alert that his determination is drafting attention. However, helium believes Kamaru is presently the toughest challenger successful the division.

“I said I privation to combat Kamaru Usman next,” Makhachev told Red Corner MMA, speaking successful Russian.

He adds:

“Although the media, arsenic acold arsenic I tin see, doesn’t judge successful that fight. But successful my opinion, Usman would overwhelm these upcoming fighters similar (Michael) Morales, (Carlos) Prates, the strikers. Those guys haven’t been tested yet. I deliberation Usman would beryllium the toughest combat for me, and it would beryllium a large media build-up: a erstwhile champion, the astir rubric defence successful my division. We could beforehand it and marque it absorbing for the audience.”

Usman's goals

Kamaru, 38, is besides looking to instrumentality to the belt. After a astir two-year absence, helium defeated up-and-coming combatant Joaquin Buckley, but earlier that triumph helium was connected a three-fight losing streak. His grounds since 2022 is 1-4. Critics accidental determination are much deserving challengers similar Morales oregon Ian Machado Garry, but Mahachev believes they are wrong. “Buckley was 1 of the challengers. Usman conscionable took him apart, and everyone had already forgotten astir that guy. And if Buckley had won, helium would person been 100 percent the fig 1 challenger.”

Makhachev , 34, insists that his archetypal defence doesn’t person to beryllium against Usman astatine each costs. “I person a batch of options. My part is truly lively close now. There are options. We’ll see. I don’t truly care. The UFC volition astir apt connection maine idiosyncratic soon, and I told them I don’t care, due to the fact that I consciousness similar I’m going to enactment successful this part for a agelong time, holding the loop and feeling comfortable.”