Islam Makhachev reveals huge fight he wants after dethroning Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322

Islam Makhachev targets Kamaru Usman

Four welterweight contenders will square off in an unofficial tournament on the UFC 322 undercard.

Streaking wrestler Sean Brady is set to take on 18-0 KO artist Michael Morales at Madison Square Garden this weekend.

Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards looks to get back in the win column against Carlos Prates at UFC 322.

One week later, a 170lb bout between Belal Muhammad and Ian Garry will co-headline the UFC’s first event in Qatar.

Islam Makhachev ignored all three of the upcoming welterweight bouts when he was recently asked who he would like to fight after beating Jack Della Maddalena.

“After Jack, I think Kamaru,” the UFC 322 headliner recently told Adin Ross.

“Kamaru Usman – he has the most title defenses at welterweight.

“Now he’s in a good position.”

Kamaru Usman believes he’s earned UFC title shot

Kamaru Usman appeared to be done at the top level after suffering three consecutive defeats.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was knocked out by Leon Edwards when they fought for the welterweight belt at UFC 278 in August 2022.

Since then, Usman has suffered majority decision defeats against Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev.

Usman got his career back on track with a dominant, unanimous decision victory over top contender Joaquin Buckley in June. The 38-year-old believes that should be enough to earn him a shot at the welterweight belt he famously defended five times.

“Hopefully that’s me,” Usman said about the next opponent for whoever wins the UFC 322 main event.

“‘Deserve’ is not a word that I like to use a lot. I don’t like that word. No one deserves anything. I think it’s what you’ve earned, and if the company feels that I’ve earned that shot.

“I’ve showed them I am still that guy. Hopefully, (beating Buckley) is enough to show them that I’m ready to go back and sit on my rightful place, which is the top of the division, and go through these guys one by one again.”