Connect with us

MMA

Kamaru Usman: ‘It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam’ Makhachev next with UFC Oklahoma City upset win

Published

on

Kamaru Usman: ‘It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam’ Makhachev next with UFC Oklahoma City upset win

Kamaru Usman says his next fight has to be for a UFC title next should he pull off a massive upset this Saturday.

The former welterweight champ faces recent middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis in the 185-pound main event of UFC Oklahoma City, which takes place at the Paycom Center and streams on Paramount+.

When asked what would be next with a win this weekend, Usman says it's a no-brainer.

“Sean Strickland,†Usman said at media day. I mean, that makes sense. That's pretty easy. It's either Sean Strickland or Islam [Makhachev], if Islam is still the champion, which I assume he will be.â€

Usman picked up his first win in nearly four years 13 months ago with a lopsided decision victory over Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta. Following the victory, Usman called for a shot at Makhachev and the welterweight title. However, the UFC didn't grant him that opportunity to regain the belt with so many contenders ahead of him in the queue.

Now he jumps back up to middleweight, where he faced Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC 294 in October 2023, dropping a close majority decision. Du Plessis returns for the first time since losing the middleweight title to Chimaev at UFC 319 this past August.

Usman was asked if the path to a title is easier at middleweight than welterweight right now.

“I wouldn't say easier,†Usman said. “I think it just fit. It just made sense. I obviously wanted the Islam fight. We talked about that and I thought that was what was going to be next, but unfortunately, in these things like this, the company kind of has a say – a big say – in this and they felt this was an opportunity.

“Obviously, I've been up here before and fought the former champion, and so this one just made sense at this time, but it's definitely not easy. I wouldn't say easier, with respect to some of these guys right now at the top. I mean, guys like Jared Cannonier, guys like Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, all these guys, Robocop. All of these guys are extremely tough, just like Prates and Morales, and all these guys [at 170]. Hey, it is what it is.â€

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MMA

Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, 32-fighter global grand prix format

Published

on

Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, 32-fighter global grand prix format

Scott Coker has officially unveiled the name and format of his new
mixed martial arts promotion.

Ki MMA will launch in the first quarter of 2027 under Coker and
Peter Y. Levin, with events planned across North America, Europe,
Asia and South America. The organization had previously announced
plans for a new global league backed by Coker, with a tournament
format central to the project.

Scott Coker and Peter Y. Levin detail Ki MMA’s 2027 launch and
World Grand Prix

Coker and Levin shared the details about the new promotion via a
press release. The inaugural Ki MMA World Grand Prix will feature
32 featherweights divided into four eight-man continental
tournaments. Each regional tournament will use a single-elimination
format, with the four continental champions advancing to a
one-night World Grand Prix Final.

The final event will feature two semifinals followed by the
championship bout, so the inaugural Ki MMA champion will need to
win five fights.

“We're giving fighters across four continents a clear path to
becoming our first World Grand Prix champion,†Coker said. “We want
to build stars while staying true to the discipline, character and
respect that drew us to martial arts in the first place.â€

Additionally, Ki MMA will feature “Super Fights†involving
established fighters, along with additional bouts across multiple
weight classes. All fights will take place inside a ring.

“We're building Ki MMA for the long term, with the resources, team,
and discipline to grow responsibly,†Levin added.

Continue Reading

MMA

Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues

Published

on

Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues
Tom
Aspinall has vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title due to ongoing
complications from an eye injury that has sidelined him for nearly
a year.

Aspinall hasn't competed since his bout against Ciryl Gane
ended in a no contest last October. Gane accidentally poked him in
both eyes and the Brit subsequently underwent multiple eye
procedures. He still hasn’t received medical clearance to return to
the Octagon and has opted to relinquish the championship.

Tom Aspinall explains why he relinquished the UFC heavyweight
championship

Aspinall took to Instagram to share a lengthy message announcing
his decision to vacate the title amid recent complications with his
right eye. The former champion revealed that he had previously
agreed to a fight date and resumed sparring before an accident
caused further damage.

“I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring,
feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further
damage to my right eye,†Aspinall wrote on Instagram. “Ongoing
complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to
fight right now. I've had multiple surgeries, accidents, and
infections, and done everything possible to get back to
competing.â€

Rather than further stalling the heavyweight division, Aspinall has
opted to give up his belt.

“I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title,â€
Aspinall added. “I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this
statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up.
I know what it's like to have your career put on hold, and I want
the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the
title.â€

Aspinall also clarified in his post that he isn't walking away from
the sport and looks forward to returning to action.

“I'll be back as soon as I'm medically able to be,†Aspinall wrote.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this
absolute nightmare.â€

Continue Reading

MMA

Brian Ortega out of UFC 331; Renato Moicano gets new opponent

Published

on

Brian Ortega out of UFC 331; Renato Moicano gets new opponent
Renato
“Money†Moicano vs. Brian
Ortega is no longer part of the upcoming
Ultimate Fighting Championship numbered event.

Ortega has suffered an injury, forcing the cancellation of the bout
scheduled for UFC
331 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. While
“T-City†nurses his injury, Moicano has a new matchup and will now
headline a Fight Night in Las Vegas in October.

Brian Ortega's injury cancels Moicano fight before UFC 331

After his bout with Ortega was pulled from UFC 331, Moicano's next
opponent was announced. The Brazilian is now set to face Tom Nolan in
the main event of the
UFC Fight Night card on Oct. 31 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Ortega took to social media to reveal details of his injury. A deep
cut has forced him out of his UFC lightweight debut and he had to
get stitches above his left eye.

“I have to pull out of the fight because of the stitches in my
eye,†Ortega wrote on Instagram. “I'm on weight, I've been training
my *ss off, and this has honestly been one of the best camps I've
ever had.â€

UFC 331 now has 12 fights on deck, with Gable
Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf
now opening the main card. Joshua Van
vs. Alexandre
Pantoja 2 headlines UFC 331, with Van defending the UFC
flyweight championship against the former champ in a rematch after
an anticlimactic ending to their first meeting, in which Pantoja
suffered an early arm injury.


Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending