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Islam Makhachev warned that he’s taking a ‘big step up in competition’ by pursuing Kamaru Usman fight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Dec 19, 2025 9:59 AM ET

Kamaru Usman’s former rival believes that the welterweight champion could be making a mistake.

Islam Makhachev has remained firm that Usman is the opponent that he wants to face next in his first defense of the 170 pound title.

Considering the other contenders who are in the mix at welterweight, this decision has been met with a lot of pushback.

Belal Muhammad argued that Usman doesn’t deserve this opportunity due to turning down other matchups after returning to the win column earlier this year.

However, a fighter who knows ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ well agrees with the reigning champion that this is the toughest fight out there for him right now.

Jorge Masvidal believes Kamaru Usman is Islam Makhachev’s ‘most dangerous fight’

Islam Makhachev, who was approached about fighting in January, could face several contenders who have never fought for a UFC title before in his next bout.

Kamaru Usman’s manager argued against this by saying he believes that his fighter’s legacy is what should earn him the first shot at the new champion.

Usman, who defeated Joaquin Buckley earlier this year to snap a three-fight losing skid, poses some interesting problems to Makhachev as his potential challenger.

Jorge Masvidal referenced this when sharing his opinion on the fight in a recent episode of his Death Row MMA podcast.

“I think this is the most dangerous fight for Makhachev at 170, man. With no doubt about it,” Masvidal stated. “That’s a big step up in competition I think from Jack Della Maddalena.”

‘Gamebred’, who was beaten twice by Usman, pointed to his former opponent’s ability to counter the champion’s wrestling as a huge problem for Makhachev to overcome.

Masvidal said that while he rates Della Maddalena, he doesn’t believe you can compare his game to Usman’s specifically in regards to grappling.

“His wrestling defense isn’t bad either, he’s a good scrambler and stuff but he’s not on Usman’s level in any way with defensive prowess,” Masvidal assessed. “Usman can wrestle defensively. I think this is one of the toughest fights for Makhachev right now. I don’t know if they’re going to want to take that one.”

Georges St-Pierre broke down how to beat someone like Islam Makhachev

During a recent appearance on TheBreakTalk, Georges St-Pierre explained that being able to match Islam Makhachev’s wrestling and win the striking exchanges are key to beating the welterweight champion.

Jorge Masvidal suggesting that Kamaru Usman could be the guy to do that makes the idea of them facing off more appealing, even if many don’t believe it should happen next.