Kamaru Usman makes his case for title shot against Islam Makhachev

Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev would like to face former titleholder Kamaru Usman next. 

“If you give me the choice and ask me who I want to fight, I will take Kamaru,” Makhachev said during the UFC 322 Post-Fight Press Conference. “But, it’s not my job. Anyone, I will be ready.”

Makhachev vacated the lightweight championship to move up to the welterweight division to challenge for a second UFC divisional title He dominated then-champion Jake Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event last weekend and joined the exclusive club of fighters who have won UFC championships in two weight classes.

Usman would love to face Makhachev next and made his case for receiving the title shot. 

"Let's be honest. It's no secret what I want," Usman told ESPN MMA. "I think it's logical. I think it makes sense."

"I am a name in the division that I guess the company you know and you can trust that it's going to really carry that title with pride and defend that title. It's up to the company. It's not up to me," continued Usman. 

"My best case scenario, I would love to fight for the title, win that title and defend that title against all these new crop of guys. But if the company wants to go another way, I can't be mad at that."

Wanting something and getting it are two very different things. There are plenty of worthy contenders in the division and no shortage of voices that do not think Usman should get the next title shot. 

"If given the opportunity, I'm going to try to maximize it and go out there and do what I feel like I'm capable of doing," Usman said. "I don't care what these people have to say. For me, as far as what I feel about the chances (of getting the title shot). I think the chances are great.

"The time would be now to fight for the title because what does it do by having me fight another, um, Michael Morales? I'm still in the same position as I am now. I fight Michael Morales, and I do what I did to Buckley to Morales, I'm still in that same position. There's a lot of guys in the welterweight division that could potentially put their name in that hat which with all respect. I respect it, but this is also an entertainment company. You want to do that biggest, baddest fights. I think it's a no-brainer."