Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman isn’t buying the narrative that Saturday’s co-main event between Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry will produce the next UFC title challenger. Muhammad (24-4, 15-4 UFC) and Machado Garry (16-1, 9-1 UFC) meet in a pivotal matchup at UFC Fight Night 265 inside ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar. With new champion Islam Makhachev fresh off dethroning Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, many believe the winner of this fight positions himself as the next man in line.
Usman disagrees. Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman dismissed the idea that Saturday’s winner becomes the obvious No. 1 contender.
“I don’t think either guy, this puts them up for a title shot,” Usman said. “Not long ago did Machado Garry just lose to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Yes, he outsmarted Carlos Prates, but that loss wasn’t long ago.
If Belal is able to win, so? Now you want to challenge the man you didn’t want to challenge before?” Usman referenced Muhammad’s previous hesitation to fight Makhachev, pointing out the inconsistency.
“You said that was your brother and you didn’t want him to challenge you. What are we in this for if it’s not for the gold? Were you really as close as you said, or were you just avoiding that challenge?”
Title Picture Complicated Further by Usman–Makhachev Interest
Usman has made it clear he wants a shot at Makhachev and the champion has reciprocated interest. With UFC welterweight momentum spinning in multiple directions, Usman sees Saturday’s matchup as important… but not definitive.
Meanwhile, both Morales and Prates delivered huge knockout wins at UFC 322, only tightening the contender race.
Why Usman Favors Machado Garry
When predicting Saturday’s fight, Usman pointed to one major concern: Muhammad’s public claims. Specifically, Muhammad’s viral insistence that he has “Canelo hands.” Usman didn’t appreciate the bravado.
“One guy just likes to put his foot in his mouth: ‘Canelo hands, I’m gonna box him.’ When you start doing that, I feel like it’s not tactics anymore. You’re trying to pander to fans.”
Usman believes that approach could cost Muhammad the focus he needs.
“I do think Garry can stay focused on the task and get the job done. It’s a tough one, even though Belal has the ability to completely win this fight, but I lean toward Garry.”
A Division in Flux
At welterweight, nothing is settled:
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Islam Makhachev is champion
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Michael Morales has surged with consecutive first-round finishes
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Carlos Prates owns a knockout of Leon Edwards
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Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry may clarify the field, but doesn’t guarantee anything
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Usman vs. Makhachev remains a massive fight the UFC could easily pull the trigger on
Usman’s message was clear: Saturday matters but not as much as people think.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
