Kamaru Usman targets Strickland or Makhachev with upset win

Kamaru Usman wants a title shot at either Sean Strickland or Islam Makhachev if he pulls off an upset against Dricus du Plessis this Saturday.

The former welterweight champion meets du Plessis in a battle of former titleholders at UFC Oklahoma City, which streams from the Paycom Center on Paramount+. At Wednesday's media day, Usman made his intentions clear for a return to championship contention.

Usman wants Strickland or lightweight champ next

"Sean Strickland," Usman said when asked about his next fight, per MMA Fighting. "I mean, that makes sense. That's pretty easy. It's either Sean Strickland or Islam [Makhachev], if Islam is still the champion, which I assume he will be."

Usman scored his first win in nearly four years last year with a decision over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. He called for Makhachev and the welterweight strap afterward, but the promotion passed on that matchup with contenders ahead of him in line. Instead, he returns to middleweight, where he dropped a close majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC 294 in October 2023.

Du Plessis makes his first appearance since losing the middleweight title to Chimaev at UFC 319 last August. Usman acknowledged the depth at 185 pounds but said the timing worked for this opportunity rather than the path being easier than welterweight.

UFC Oklahoma City takes place Saturday, with the main card streaming on Paramount+ following prelims on ESPN+.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Kamaru Usman: ‘It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam’ Makhachev next with UFC Oklahoma City upset win | MMA Fighting