Kamaru Usman is interested in facing Islam makhachev (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)
At 38 years old and back in the spotlight as the main attraction of UFC Atlanta, Kamaru Usman revealed that he still has grand ambitions before hanging up his gloves. In a recent interview with journalist Kevin Iole, the former welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg) expressed enthusiasm for the rise in Islam makhachev, former lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg), for the up to 77 kg division, and made it clear that he would love to face the Russian in a super fight.
“I love it. I love Islam moving up. At another time, maybe it would have bothered me, but now I’m older and wiser. I really like him and I care about him. As a fighter, I love the idea. He should be the next one to challenge for the title. As a champion moving up a division, you absolutely deserve that opportunity, especially if you’re willing to give up the belt like he did,” said the Nigerian.
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Usman also highlighted the potential of a duel between the two, not only because of the talent involved, but also because of the symbolic weight of a fight between two current and former number 1 in the organization's pound-for-pound ranking.
“It’s not like Islam is going to go up and just take the belt. I think he has the ability to do it, but it’s not going to be easy.
Now imagine: the current No. 1 pound-for-pound against the former No. 1 pound-for-pound. That would be a huge fight. It would be a great way to have one more big fight before I retire,” said the former champion.
before thinking about Islam makhachev, however, the 'Nigerian Nightmare' enters action this Saturday (14), after almost two years of inactivity, to face the North American Joaquin buckley, in the main fight of the UFC Atlanta.
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