Islam Makhachev has several contenders to face at welterweight, but one opponent clearly stands out.
Following his victory over Jacques Della Maddalena to claim the UFC welterweight title late last year, Islam Makhachev has been inactive, waiting for his next matchup.
That same event not only saw Makhachev crowned champion at 170 pounds, but it also featured multiple impressive performances from other welterweight contenders.
Fighters like Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, and Ian Machado Garry have voiced their intentions to challenge for the belt, yet Makhachev and his camp have a different perspective.
Makhachev’s Manager Names the Leading Contender for His Next Fight
Right after beating Della Maddalena, Makhachev stirred excitement among UFC fans by expressing interest in facing Kamaru Usman next.
Despite Usman’s recent record of just one win and three losses over his last four bouts, indicating a decline, Makhachev’s team still considers him the top candidate for the next title fight.
“They are discussing the next opponent, and Kamaru Usman is among the possible contenders,” Rizvan Magomedov, Makhachev’s manager, told Sport24.
“If you ask us, we want that fight too, because it’s one of the biggest matchups in the division right now.
“As always, the ultimate decision is up to the promotion. Islam is ready to defend his title… From a media standpoint, a fight against Kamaru Usman would attract the most attention and viewership.”
While Magomedov likely aims to generate hype around Makhachev’s next defense, most UFC fans are indifferent to the prospect of a Usman rematch, diminishing its overall impact.
Nonetheless, fans should prepare for Makhachev versus Usman as the forthcoming bout, with the former champion recently ramping up his training and sharing clips on social media.
Problematic UFC Matchmaking Prioritizes Popularity Over Merit
In the past year, it’s become apparent that UFC matchmaking strategies heavily favor marketability, often at the expense of merit-based competition.
Still, a showdown between Morales and Machado Garry seems likely to determine the official number one contender, with the victor earning a guaranteed shot at Makhachev’s title.
Fan Take: This development highlights the ongoing tension between fan-driven meritocracy and UFC’s business-driven matchmaking, which impacts the sport’s competitive integrity. If Makhachev faces Usman again despite other worthy challengers, it may set a precedent that marketability can overshadow deserving contenders, affecting the division’s future landscape.
