Kamaru Usman says if he pulls off an enormous upset this Saturday, his subsequent battle should be for the UFC title.
The previous welterweight champion will tackle current middleweight champion Drikas du Plessis within the 185-pound major occasion of UFC Oklahoma Metropolis, held on the Paycom Heart and streamed on Paramount+.
When requested what occurs subsequent if he wins this weekend, Usman says that is for positive.
“Sean Strickland,” Usman mentioned at media day. I imply, it is sensible. It is that straightforward. If Islam continues to be the champion, it is both Sean Strickland or Islam (Makhachev) and I feel he’ll be the champion. ”
Usman scored his first win in practically 4 years 13 months in the past with a lopsided resolution win over Joaquin Buckley in the principle occasion of UFC Atlanta. After the win, Usman known as for a problem to Makhachev and the welterweight title. Nonetheless, the UFC didn’t give him an opportunity to get the belt again as there have been many candidates lined up earlier than him.
Now, he has returned to middleweight and confronted Khamzat Chimaev on quick discover at UFC 294 in October 2023, shedding in an in depth resolution. Du Plessis can be making his first return since shedding his middleweight title to Chimaev at UFC 319 in August of this 12 months.
Usman was requested if the trail to a title is at present simpler at middleweight than at welterweight.
“I am unable to say it is simpler,” Usman mentioned. “I feel it was a great match. It made sense. I clearly needed to battle Islam. We talked about it and thought that might be the following factor, however sadly, in terms of issues like this, the corporate form of has a say, and this has an enormous say, and so they felt this was a possibility.”
“Clearly, I have been up right here earlier than and fought former champions and this battle made sense this time round, but it surely’s by no means simple. I am unable to say it is simple in terms of a few of these guys who’re on the high proper now. I imply guys like Jared Cannonier. , gamers like Nasrudin Imavov, Caio Boralho, all these gamers, RoboCop. All these gamers are very robust, like Prates and Morales, and all these gamers, “Guys (170 years previous), that is what it’s. ”
