UPDATE: Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has unveiled his ambitious plan to retire as a two-division UFC champion, spotlighting the upcoming UFC 322 main event this weekend. Usman spoke exclusively with TMZ Sports ahead of the highly anticipated fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday.
Usman is keenly focused on the title clash between current champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, who is moving up to challenge for the welterweight belt after relinquishing his lightweight title. “I think [the fight is] a toss-up, but I do think Islam has the grappling edge when it goes down to the ground,” Usman stated. He aims to face the winner as he plots his return to the Octagon.
While there is currently no confirmed date for Usman’s return, he last fought on June 24, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision. Usman has expressed a desire to reclaim the welterweight title and then pursue the middleweight championship, currently held by Khamzat Chimaev. “The storybook would be to go and grab this title, then go and grab the other title,” Usman said, emphasizing his ambition to become a two-division champion.
Usman, who held the welterweight title for an impressive 3.5 years, is eager to avenge his previous loss to Chimaev, which occurred in a tightly contested match that Usman took on short notice. “I think that’s an intriguing fight,” he remarked, highlighting the interest it would generate for fans.
As the UFC gears up for this weekend’s event, all eyes will be on Usman’s next move, as he seeks to solidify his legacy in the sport. With the potential for a high-stakes showdown looming, fans are buzzing about the implications of this weekend’s fights and what they mean for Usman’s future.
Stay tuned for live updates from UFC 322 as the action unfolds, and keep an eye on Kamaru Usman as he aims for a historic two-division title reign.
