Islam Makhachev has faced criticism over his choice for his first welterweight title defense. He maintains that Kamaru Usman should be his next opponent and insists this matchup will be his most challenging yet. While Makhachev is correct in pointing out that Usman has faced tougher competition than other young contenders, some fighters have recently secured more impressive wins. Usman’s manager drew a parallel to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic to justify why Usman’s achievements warrant another title shot. Many, including Usman’s longtime rival, are paying closer attention to what Usman’s potential challengers have been accomplishing recently.
Belal Muhammad, who ended 2024 as the welterweight champion before experiencing a losing streak in 2025, asserts that he ranks above Kamaru Usman in the title contender hierarchy. On his YouTube channel, Muhammad shared his view that despite Usman potentially being the next challenger, he should be the one to get the title shot. Muhammad criticized Usman for turning down fights and emphasized that he, Muhammad, has had a more active and successful recent run. He questioned Usman’s readiness and right to a title fight, highlighting his inactivity and recent losses.
Muhammad also named Michael Morales as the top contender in the welterweight division right now, suggesting Morales’s strong performances, including a notable victory over Sean Brady, make him a prime candidate for a title shot. Morales himself hinted he might not be fighting Makhachev in the latter’s upcoming bout. Muhammad, along with many others, believes Morales’s decisive win at UFC 322 should have secured him the next title opportunity.
Fan Take: This ongoing debate about who deserves the next welterweight title shot highlights the fierce competition and politics in MMA matchmaking. For fight fans, it adds a compelling storyline that could shape the trajectory of the welterweight division and bring some thrilling matchups to the Octagon.
