Kamaru Usman's title dreams still live in 2025.
The former UFC champion Welterweight had a long way to go back to the win column. After almost four years and a three-fighting skid to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev, Usman returned to the main event of UFC Atlanta, where he achieved a dominant decision victory on Joaquin Buckley.
His #5 ranking list intact, Usman set its sights on a title fight afterwards.
However, Usman could be a way of a title chances, because champion Jack della Maddalena will more than likely defend his title this year against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev later this year.
In the meantime, a UFC legend has suggested to fight someone else for the next title shot and he only knows the man.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Chael Sonnen believes that Kamaru Usman should fight against 'Alpha Male' Shavkat Rakhmonov in title Eliminator
Shavkat Rakhmonov is the #3 ranking order UFC Welterweight participant and has a perfect 19-0 record.
Rakhmonov won a title Eliminator Bout against Ian Machado Garry on UFC 310 after the then champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from a title defense. Unfortunately for Rakhmonov, injuries stood in the way of a title fight, so that he has since remained on the sidelines.
Triple UFC title Challenger and analyst Chael Sonnen believes that the 38-year-old Usman should make a play for the undefeated competition.
“If you try to get the title right away … I think one strategy, because I believe Shavkat is the real number one contender,” Sonen said about a good guy / bad guy.
“I really believe that when Shavkat comes back, he will probably immediately walk in a title fight. I really believe between Islam [Makhachev] And jacket [Della Maddalena]I think Shavkat is the Alpha -Man in that room
“I just think he's the right size, and I think he really fits together well. I offer you that because I think Kamaru could come out publicly and go behind Shavkat, saying that I can fight him. Let me fight him for a number one contender, of which if he won, I think he would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, I would be assigned, [a title shot]. “
Sonnen went on.
“But even absent to get that fight, Shavkat must immediately walk in a title fight, Usman still comes with one of the two best boys.
“I think that strategy, if he could coordinate himself well to Shavkat, and nobody will ask for that job. No one beyond asking to fight Shavkat. If he could come in and somehow could get some things with him, it could pay great.”
Shavkat Rakhmonov has fought once in the last 500 days
While one of the Enger contenders with 170 pounds with a 95%finish, injuries Rakhmonov kept from the octhoek.
Allegedly Rakhmonov on UFC 310 last December with a torn MCL where he defeated Ian Machado Garry via a unanimous decision.
Before that, 'Nomad' had not fought for a year with his last fight against Stephen Thompson in December 2023.
Time will learn when we will see Shavkat Rakhmonov in action again.