Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has misplaced his final three fights, however might be one win away from a title shot.
Usman (20-4) held the 170-pound championship from March 2019 till November 2021. He efficiently defended the title 5 instances earlier than dropping to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022 by a surprising head-kick knockout late within the remaining spherical.
Usman misplaced the rematch through unanimous choice and took a short-notice battle in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 295. Usman accepted the middleweight bout on nine-days discover. He got here up brief on the judges’ scorecards however confirmed that he is nonetheless on the high of the sport even on brief discover.
Belal Muhammad captured the welterweight championship by defeating Edwards at UFC 304 in July. Usman misplaced twice to Edwards, and with him out of the best way “The Nigerian Nightmare” has a path to a title battle once more.
“When you actually take a look at it, and that is no shade to him as a result of I do respect this dude, however all the pieces he does I do higher,” Usman informed the Weighing In Podcast. “Placing, I strike higher, cleaner. I undoubtedly have extra energy to the place I might sit you down. Grappling, (I am) extra explosive.”
“It is no shade. I like Belal, however I will be truthful and sincere. All the things you do, I do higher, I am higher at” Usman continued.
