In the aftermath of UFC 294, Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski found themselves on the wrong side of their respective battles. These short-notice fights were a challenging endeavour for two of the sport’s greats, and the results left both fighters in contemplative states.
Kamaru Usman, the former welterweight champion, now grapples with an unfamiliar situation. He’s experienced three consecutive losses, a rare occurrence in his illustrious 24-fight career. Leading up to his showdown with Khamzat Chimaev, Usman indicated his willingness to explore the middleweight division while keeping his primary focus at 170 pounds.
Notably, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was intrigued by Usman’s musings and openly extended a challenge to “The Nigerian Nightmare.” Whittaker, on his MMArcade podcast, expressed his eagerness to face Usman at middleweight and urged him to give it another shot in the 185-pound weight class.
“Is he gonna stay at middleweight? I don’t know. That fight interests me, I like that fight. I’d fight a middleweight Usman. I don’t think it’s a bad fight to have,” Whittaker declared. He emphasized the importance of granting Usman a top-tier fight rather than making him work his way up the rankings.
Whittaker sees value in introducing fresh blood to the upper echelons of the middleweight division, and he encouraged Usman to join the mix. His podcast remarks added an exciting dimension to the discussion.
As the MMA community awaits Usman’s decision, Robert Whittaker’s willingness to engage in a middleweight clash with “The Nigerian Nightmare” brings an intriguing prospect to the fore. Whittaker’s challenge to Usman is a compelling narrative that has captured the attention of fight fans worldwide. The unfolding storylines in these fighters’ careers promise to be worth watching.
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