Usman's UFC Title Opportunity

Former The UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, might have a chance to regain his title if the winner of this weekend's UFC 322 main...

FormerThe UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, might have a chance to regain his title if the winner of this weekend's UFC 322 main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev is already set to face their next opponent.

One of the highly-anticipated UFC main events of the year will occur this weekend, with Makhachev looking to achieve the status of a two-division champion against the current welterweight titleholder, Della Maddalena.

Makhachev stepped down from his UFC lightweight championship earlier this year following four successful title defenses, a record that no other champion in the division's history has matched.

Now, the Russian will move 15 pounds north to 170, where one of the most skilled strikers in MMA will greet Makhachev as he enters a new weight class.

Nevertheless, no matter who departs from Madison Square Garden with the title, Usman seems poised to be the upcoming contender ready in the background.

A 38-year-old Nigerian has become familiar with the experience of having gold around his waist, following five successful title defenses as UFC welterweight champion from 2019 to 2022.

Although his career is hall-of-fame worthy, fans and analysts believed that Usman's peak had passed after he lost his title to Leon Edwards due to a surprising late head kick.

That loss led to a three-fight losing streak, with two defeats against Edwards coming before a disputed loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.

However, Usman demonstrated that he is still a top-tier fighter by securing a commanding victory over rising contender Joaquin Buckley in June.

Having returned to success, Usman expressed in a recent interview on Submission Radio his desire for another chance to regain the title he previously held.

I need to return to where I truly belong, and that's as a champion," he stated. "Personally, I believe I'm next.

Makhachev has already recognized this and states that after he secures the title at 170 pounds, he is targeting a matchup against Usman for his initial title defense.

During a live stream with well-known influencer Adin Ross, the Russian shared his thoughts on a possible matchup, saying, "After (defeating) Jack, I believe Kamaru Usman (will be next)... He's in a strong position now."

Javier Mendez, the trainer of Makhachev, also thinks that Usman is more deserving of the title opportunity than any other competitor.

The one person I believe truly deserves it more than anyone else, considering his championship reign, is Kamaru Usman," Mendez said on Submission Radio. "See what he just accomplished with (Joaquin) Buckley. He put an end to the hype and did so in a remarkable way. So I think his name has to be in the mix for that title. His championship run, being the greatest welterweight of all time, in my view, definitely belongs in the conversation as well.

If Makhachev manages to defeat Della Maddalena and subsequently defends his title against Usman, widely regarded as the second-best welterweight of all time, then the 34-year-old will surely be remembered as one of the greatest competitors to ever step into the Octagon.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).