Kamaru Usman may have to fight again if he wants a UFC title shot.
Recently, on a three-field, the former UFC Welterweight Champion came back to winning ways at UFC Atlanta last weekend.
There the 38-year-old Usman stopped a stipulating Joaquin Buckley and defeated him through a unanimous decision in a vintage performance.
Usman still has his sights on recovering the Welterweight Throne, currently in the hands of Jack della Maddalena, with lightweight Islam Makhachev and a few contenders that may stand in the way there.
Although Usman is the biggest name in the division, a competition is not so certain that he cuts the line on 170 pounds, at least not without tackling him first.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Sean Brady responds to Kamaru Usman, which is called Title shot: 'Let's see who it no. 1 competition is'
Just like Usman, the #2-ranged UFC Welterweight Sean Brady is at the distance of the title shot, after he submitted former champion Leon Edwards in March.
Brady gave his reaction to Usman's latest victory over Buckley and his calls for the title and offered to fight him in a no. 1 Bout competition instead.
“If he had received the finish, he might have had a claim more, but Buckley was number seven,” said Brady about Usman on the Bradybagz Podcast.
'You come from a three combat member. I know what he is trying to say. He has the biggest name for the [division] But it's good, say Islam and JDM fight in October. Let's say Islam wins. He will not fight until next year, “Brady explained.
'So you wait about eighteen months, possibly because he is not going to fight during Ramadan. Maybe he doesn't fight early or early or at the end of 2026 and then there is Shavkat [Rakhmonov] there. They say he is still the next one [for the title]. So I don't know.
'In my mind, I will also fight against Usman or I will fight against Ian [Machado Garry]. ”
“It's logical,” said Brady about a potential fight with Usman.
“I am here for it. Let's not wait. Let's see who it is no. 1 competition.”
Shavkat Rakhmonov says he will wait for title chances
Ranked #3 in the Welterweight Division, the aforementioned Shavkat Rakhmonov was initially planned and then fighting Champion Belal Muhammad for the title on UFC 310 last December.
However, an injury would force Mohammed off the map, so Rakhmonov would fight and beat short-notice replacement Ian Machado Garry.
Rakhmonov is said to have been entered the title -eliminator with a knee injury, one that has kept him out of the competition.
Rakhmonov thinks he owes a title shot in his return.
“I just have to heal the injury and that's it,” Rakhmonov told Vestnik MMA (H/T: MMA Pros Pick).
“I want to fight immediately for the championship belt,” the top candidate added.
'Let's take a look. Time will learn it. I have to be prepared.
“We'll wait …”
The 19-0 Rakhmonov comes from the victories over Ian Machado Garry, Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal.