Since Islam Makhachev dethroned Jack Della Maddalena to become the 170-pound UFC queen, Henry Cejudo and Ali Abdelaziz want Kamaru Usman to be first in line to fight Makhachev when the latter makes his first welterweight title defense.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ recently spoke about another contender, who he believes deserves a title shot alongside him.
Usman named Carlos Prates as the other worthy title challenger. On the Pounds 4 Pounds podcast, he said:
“I would say Prates. I still think there might be another fight. I feel like he has done so much in such a short time… I would say Carlos Prates right now. I love everything I see from him. His willingness, his excitement to go out and compete and fight, even if he loses, he says, ‘Okay, I’ll deal with that and I’ll come back.’ That’s what I like to see. I think that’s what Dana, the company and Hunter will love.”
Watch Kamaru Usman’s comments below (9:40):
Prates has recorded back-to-back knockout victories in the UFC, with his most recent coming against Leon Edwards at UFC 322. After becoming the first man to KO Edwards, ‘The Nightmare’ also called for a title shot.
However, the Fighting Nerds alum believes that if he has to fight one more time before he can challenge for the title, he would be open to that as well. The welterweight division features Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Morales, Prates and Ian Machado Garry as potential title challengers. Although Rakhmonov has not been active, he has defeated Ian Machado Garry. On the other hand, Prates lost to the Irishman. That’s why it is so difficult to determine who should be next in the fight against Islam Makhachev.
Ali Abdelaziz Criticizes Ian Machado Garry As He Campaigns For Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman and Islam Makhachev’s manager recently criticized Ian Machado Garry and questioned the latter’s performance within the organization. octagon. Ali Abdelaziz believes Usman should be the next obvious welterweight title challenger, and he certainly will. He told MMA Junkie:
“Kamaru Usman has done a lot of things for this company. I will campaign for him to get a title fight… What has Ian Garry done in recent years? Kamaru Usman is a legend… he was offered Shavkat last November, Kamaru accepted the fight. Kamaru Usman is one of the biggest names in the division. When you are Islam Makhachev, you want to have a legacy to your name.”
Watch Ali Abdelaziz’s comments below:
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