October 02, (THEWILL) – Kamaru Usman said he would “seriously think about” jumping to middleweight in pursuit of a second UFC title, but only if his close friend, Israel Adesanya, was no longer the 185-pound champion. As it turns out, Adesanya was defeated by Sean Strickland, a former welterweight, at UFC 293 last month, so the only barrier preventing “The Nigerian Nightmare” from moving to that weight has now been eliminated.
However, this is unless the promotion decides to schedule him against 170-pound contender, Belal Muhammad. Like Adesanya, the 36-year-old Usman also lost his championship belt, so he no longer has the influence to fight for the 185-pound title in his first middleweight match. However, another path is now available if “The Nigerian Nightmare” wants to travel to Abu Dhabi as a backup fighter for the Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa clash at UFC 294, a fight that could determine the next title challenger.
“I think Kamaru Usman should go to 185 pounds, that’s my view,” former middleweight contender Chael Sonnen commented on the circumstances. “He didn’t want to have to fight Adesanya. Usman was willing to fight Chimaev, but not at 185 because it would have become a number one contender’s match. With the landscape now totally different and the chance just a month away, it’s essential they have a backup in Abu Dhabi for Paulo Costa vs. Chimaev.”
Chimaev is also a former welterweight with middleweight title aspirations and has history with Usman, though neither fighter could convince UFC CEO Dana White to set up a bout. Things have changed thanks to Leon Edwards, who beat Usman in back-to-back title fights, most recently at UFC 286 in March. The promotion does not usually pay for backups in non-title fights, but Costa vs. Chimaev is important enough that it may be worth it.
With the obstacle of his friend Adesanya no longer champion, Usman seems open to pursuing a second belt at middleweight. If the UFC place him as a backup for the upcoming Costa vs. Chimaev fight, it could determine the next title challenger in the division Usman once hesitated to enter.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
