Former welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman will be keeping a close eye on the UFC 322 main event this weekend.
In New York City’s historic Madison Square Garden, welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev in what promises to be an interesting clash. UFC 322 is arguably the greatest showcase of welterweight action we’ve seen in recent years, with the main event not being the only competitive welterweight clash on the card. Former champion, Leon Edwards, clashes with up-and-coming knockout artist, Carlos Prates and #3 Sean Brady risks his spot as he takes on the undefeated, exciting Michael Morales.
It might not be any of these men who get the next shot, however. Kamaru Usman believes that his most recent performance could put him in the title picture. The former champion was in a tough spot as he had lost three straight fights and was out of action for a little under two years, however, he rolled back the clock to dominate the in-form, Joaquin Buckley.
Kamaru Usman vs Jack Della Maddalena/Islam Makhachev
Speaking to MMA Junkie, The Nigerian Nightmare stated: “A lot of people had a lot of questions: ‘Can he still fight? Is he still this guy? Is he still this way?’ I hope I proved that to everyone”, alludes Usman with regards to the Buckley fight.
Commenting on this weekend’s UFC 322 card Kamaru Usman said:
“I have my eye on this weekend. We’ll see who comes out victorious. I think it’s a big fight, it’s a good fight, it’s a tough fight for both guys. I’m sitting here looking at the winner like, ‘All right, let’s run it. I’m in a position now to where I want the biggest, most challenging fights out there, because I understand that I don’t have another 20 fights left in the company. Anything could happen, so if you can get that next one and it could be that fight, then that’s what I want.”
Does Usman have a chance at stepping in there with the winner of this weekend’s main event? Why not. He’s got the legacy behind him with five straight title defences, seven PPV bouts, three fight night headliners and an impressive six post fight bonuses.
Usman also suggests that he hasn’t got much time left in the game. He’s now 38 years old and with a number of well-documented injuries, it’s now or never for the former champion to get one last shot at gold.
Embed from Getty ImagesDo you think Kamaru Usman deserves another title shot? Let us know in the comments below!
