'The Nigerian nightmare' and 'Triple C' want to take the position of Hunter Campbell as UFC Matchmaker Extraordinaire.
The UFC Lightweight Division is in an interesting place; With a former champion that goes up from featherweight, and another set to retire in his next fight – while there are still different athletes in the mix to face Islam Makhachev for the title of 155 pounds.
How the promotion manages this Round-Robin will be decided in the coming weeks and months; With two former champions now shares their predictions about how this lightweight Logjam should play.
Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty images
Kamaru Usman proposes five 'fantastic' fights on 155 pounds
After breaking down the UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady Main Card, Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo offered their respective brackets for how they would match the top stars of the lightweight division.
“If I had to put together my bracket, I should say that Islam [Makhachev] Vecht against Justin [Gaethje]”Said Usman about the next championship title fight.
“And then, if you want to give a fantastic fight for Dustin Poirier, the pension fight, why don't we do the third with Max Holloway?
“And then I would do Arman Tsarukyan vs Charles Oliveira [rematch]And then I would probably do the winner of Chandler vs Pimblett against Dan hooker. I would do that. “
Dustin Poirier already has two victories over Max Holloway, but with his UFC pension fight, a third confrontation against 'blessed' – especially with BMF on the line – threatens a sensational fight to bend with.
“The winner of Chandler vs Pimblett will take on Dan Hooker,” continued the former Welterweight champion, before he focused his attention on former featherweight King Ilia Topuria.
And Ilia Topuria [gets] Mateusz Gamrot … The only thing we don't see often is Ilia Topuria on his back, now give him a ruthless wrestler who is very successful in the lightweight division. “
It was not long before 'Gamer' Gamrot responded to the pound-4 pound suggestion, writing on X: “That's right champion, little boys always a great idea.”
Henry Cejudo offers an alternative bracket for lightweight superstars
For the most part, Henry Cejudo agreed with the matchmaking of Usman, although there were one or two different opinions about what the promotion 'De Diamant' should offer for his shipping match.
“There are two options: there is the option with Max Holloway for the BMF … and say that Poirier wins, maybe the UFC decides to get rid of the BMF, that's one.
“The other who is more likely to be Ilia is Topuria.
“So, as Islam is going to fight against Justin Gaethje somewhere in June or July, and I see Ilia Topuria fighting against Dustin Poirier – and you just do a rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira … that's my bracket.”
Cejudo also pointed out that Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett could soon be in that 155LB Title Mix; Especially if the scouse -super star can protect itself a viral finish on UFC 314 next month.
“Everything is still a bit surprised, but depending on what Paddy does, I feel that he can sneak there – maybe not – but he can sneak there and get that title [shot].
“The division of 155 pounds is so good that you can match one of these guys together and it would all be logical.”
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