The UFC’s welterweight division has been revived. After Kamaru Usman’s dominant reign from 2019 to 2022, a stunning knockout loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 276 saw a seismic shift in the division
The Fall of the Ottomans and New Challenges
Regarded as the welterweight GOAT by many including UFC CEO Dana White, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is currently at the lowest point of his career, having lost his last three fights. At first it looked like Usman would face undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov next. However, a recent tweet from Rakhmonov scuppered these plans.
Shavkat Rakhmonov Usman Declined the Competition
Shavkat Rakhmonov is perhaps the most dangerous man in the UFC. ‘Nomad’ is undefeated in 18 pro MMA fights, having finished every opponent he has faced. His last win over striking maestro Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at UFC 296 moved him up to #3 in the welterweight rankings.
On the behind-the-scenes note, UFC boss Dana White discussed and agreed with Khabib Nurmagomedov that a fight between Rakhmonov and Osman would make more sense, with Khabib’s convincing points and White acknowledging them as two independent welterweights are terrible will meet each other back. But Rakhmonov is not interested in fighting Osman. His latest tweet, where he calls for a title shot after UFC 304, misrepresents the match against Usman. “JDM is afraid; Usman and Colby don’t want that. I am ready to meet the winner as Leon vs. Leon. Belal,” he wrote.
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
#2-ranked Belal Muhammad, on a ten-fight unbeaten streak, is looking forward to facing Edwards, the champion from last year. Finally, after much anticipation, their fight is scheduled to take place on July 27 in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, England. Regardless of who wins, ‘Nomad’ appears to be next in line for a title shot.
In his tweet, Rakhmonov revealed how his only real challenger for the 170-pound throne was at UFC 304. #4-ranked Colby Covington recently lost to Edwards at UFC 296 and turned down an Ian Gary fight the. Usman has not faced another 170-pounder since dropping the title in 2022. Reigning #5 ranked Jack Della Maddalena broke his arm in his last fight against Gilbert Burns and has been out for months All signs point to Rakhmonov being the next contender abodin . But why were Dana White and Khabib so excited about the Osman vs. Rakhmonov fight?
Khabib’s Vision for Usman
In the ‘Fight Inc.: Inside the UFC’ documentary, Khabib Nurmagomedov chatted with Osman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz until Dana White walked in. Abdelaziz expressed Osman’s desire to fight Stephen Thompson and Khabib objected if Rakhmonov fighting him will be very exciting for the fans, Osman And if they do, it will be very consequential, and could put him back in the title picture.
“Can you imagine with Shawkat and with Shawkat [being] beastly, invincible, and beating [him], he would be a contender to fight Stephen Thompson like today, and you fight Shawkat , . so what war will make you nervous?” Khabib asked.
Current Status of Osman
Usman’s last fight was in the 185-pound middleweight division. He fought an interim bout with promoted UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, losing by controversial majority decision. This was his third loss, leaving him unwilling to face another loss. This temporary scenario is what he wants with ‘Wonderboy’ who is 41 and has lost three of his last four fights. Despite the wishes of Whyte and Nurmagomedov, a fight with ‘Wonderboy’ is still on the table, as Rakhmonov is focused on the welterweight title.
