Kamaru Usman is baffled by Islam Makhachev's mentality.
Makhachev made a record fourth lightweight title defense at UFC 311, leaving his options wide open. Makhachev even went so far as to call up Dricus du Plessis for a shot at three-time champion. The most realistic option for now is a welterweight move, even if featherweight king Ilia Topuria challenges Makhachev to a fight.
Only one thing stands in his way: Makhachev's camaraderie with current welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, and his No. 1 challenger, Shavkat Rakhmonov. Makhachev has previously revealed that he would rather not fight either man. Usman operates in a more cutthroat manner.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Kamaru Usman believes Islam Makhachev should put aside the brotherhood and take over the title from Belal Muhammad
At the opposite end of the scale from Makhachev, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes the champion should put aside any camaraderie and take what's coming to him.
“This whole idea of Belal training with them: 'I don't want to [fight him] —' Bro, no,' Usman said on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. “I go up there and I swear at him, I don't care. Just because he comes into our camp and just tries to use our bodies and learn our style.
“I'm going up, I'm yelling at him, I'm taking that belt.”
At 33 years old, Makhachev has the unique opportunity to make UFC history. We've already had a handful of double champions, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes. Now we could see a three-time champion, with Makhachev cutting weight enough to compete at lightweight. However, it remains to be seen whether his brotherhood with Mohammed and Rakhmonov will stand in the way.
Kamaru Usman refused to fight Israel Adesanya when he was champion
Camaraderie also stopped Merab Dvalishvili from claiming bantamweight gold. 'The Machine' refused to outright compete with his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, while 'Funk Master' claimed the throne. Ironically, this was also the case with Usman, who did not want to fight Israel Adesanya because they were both of Nigerian descent.
Usman ruled out a fight with Adesanya unless the UFC offered $100 million. Instead, he considered fighting at light heavyweight. Adesanya also said he had nothing to gain from fighting Usman.
Since these comments, Usman has lost three fights in a row, and Adesanya has lost his middleweight throne twice. Perhaps Usman's approach has changed as he now wants to maintain his position in the welterweight division, let alone recapture a championship.
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