Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington were the two best welterweights for a long time. However, times have changed, and Leon Edwards dethroned Usman as champion, recently defending the title against Covington. Moreover, rising contenders like Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Jack Della Maddalena look eager to become welterweight champions.
The next title fight at welterweight is between Edwards and Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester. The winner was likely to face the winner of the potential matchup between Rakhmonov vs. Maddalena. However, the latter has suffered a severe injury, leaving the potential matchup with the former at UFC 305 in jeopardy.
Shavkat Rakhmonov sends a stern message to the welterweight
Rakhmonov’s tweets on X have always been short and concise but effective. The undefeated phenom provided stern responses to Maddalena and surging contender Joaquin Buckley’s callouts via X, and he did not waste too much time revealing what he wants next after the current situation in the division.
“JDM is hurt, Usman and Colby don’t want it. I’m ready to face the winner of Leon vs Belal.” tweeted Rakhmonov. From the tweet, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington have allegedly refused to fight Rakhmonov, who has won all his fights via finish.
In the recently released Fight Inc: Inside the UFC documentary series, Dana White revealed the UFC’s plans to make Usman vs. Rakhmonov. However, manager Ali Abdelaziz seemed to have no interest, revealing Usman wanted to fight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
Nonetheless, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was with Abdelaziz, co-signed the idea, urging Usman to fight and defeat Rakhmonov to strengthen his legacy. The potential fight will take place at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, how Kamaru Usman will respond remains to be seen.
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Also Read: Former UFC Champion Kamaru Usman Opens Up on Who Should Challenge for the Welterweight Crown Next
