Usman Backs His Style Against Makhachev

Kamaru Usman believes he can beat Islam Makhachev at welterweight if the UFC makes the matchup happen.

The former welterweight champion weighed in on Makhachev's title defense against Ian Garry at UFC 330, where the Dagestani fighter retained his belt via unanimous decision but looked vulnerable in stretches. Usman told the Pound 4 Pound podcast that while younger contenders are emerging as threats, he remains confident in his chances against the current titleholder. "Styles make fights, I'm telling you guys, I can get that done," he said, per Sherdog.

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Usman's Path Back To Title Contention

Usman campaigned for a shot at Makhachev after the latter dethroned Jack Della Maddalena last November. Makhachev acknowledged Usman as his biggest threat at the time. But a lengthy absence from the Octagon allowed fighters like Garry, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales to leapfrog him in the welterweight queue.

The Nigerian Nightmare lost his welterweight title to Leon Edwards via knockout in 2022, then dropped the rematch a year later. A majority-decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight followed. Usman returned at welterweight after 20 months away to beat Joaquin Buckley, then moved back to middleweight and lost a decision to Dricus Du Plessis earlier this year.

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Usman acknowledged the rising crop of welterweight contenders but maintained he still poses problems for Makhachev based on what he called MMA mathematics. No fight between the two has been announced. Makhachev is expected to defend the welterweight title again later this year.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Kamaru Usman confident he can beat Islam Makhachev: ‘Styles make fights’