Who’s Next?🔮
The Monkey is off my back… – Kamaru Usman
Haters move on over, and doubters are no longer doubtful because despite entering UFC Atlanta as a +205 betting underdog, Kamaru Usman just snapped his 3-fight losing streak and reminded the masses as to why he’s considered one of the greatest welterweights of all time.
Losing four rounds to one, Joaquin Buckley, the young buck who was on a tear at 170lbs, couldn’t handle the wrestling offense of Usman, which previously assisted him in being a dominant champ in the welterweight division.
‘The Monkey is off my back,’ is how Usman phrased it, and now, with a return to the win column over a top-ranked contender, what path will the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ take to attempt to recapture his glory days in the title spotlight?
This is obviously a job for Dana White and the UFC matchmakers. Still, I’m something of a matchmaker myself, so let’s take a look at three viable opponents that Usman could face following his UFC Atlanta success.
It truly took a village to build back. I’m so incredibly thankful to my family, team and friends. Back to the drawing board and on to the next. Thank you 🙏🏿 @AliAbdelaziz00 @henrihooft @CosmoAlexandre @ssorianoMMA @DrCPeacock @Justin_Gaethje @king_colgan pic.twitter.com/OHnifFZcwn
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) June 16, 2025
Usman vs. Belal Muhammad
The writing is on the wall, my friends, Usman and Belal Muhammad do NOT like each other, and this, to me, is the most obvious matchup that also makes sense in terms of scheduling.
Belal recently lost the welterweight championship via a convincing performance from Jack Della Maddalena, and the new champ already has a new contender with Islam Makhachev’s weight class jump. So, how does Belal instantly jump back into contention? He attempts to defeat one of the greats, and that would be Usman.
Usman is ranked at No.5, and Belal is No. 1, but with Sean Brady expected to fight Ian Garry and Shavkat sidelined, there aren’t many options available. Not to mention, the ongoing beef between Belal and Usman has been heated.
Kamaru Usman just violated Belal Muhammad during his post-fight presser 💀 pic.twitter.com/57mJipLT6e
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 15, 2025
Based on Usman’s UFC Atlanta post-fight press comments, however, it doesn’t seem like he’s interested:
“Who is it?”
Usman said when asked about Muhammad being his next opponent. “Who’s that? Next.”
Belal, however, posted on X that he’ll ‘see Usman soon.’
Belal Muhammad responds to Kamaru Usman 👀🍿
“The guy that made you cry on your podcast.” pic.twitter.com/fjImoWeezd
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 15, 2025
Usman vs. Sean Brady Or Ian Garry
There’s no denying that with his resume of UFC fights, Usman could very well walk into a title opportunity. However, it’s quite rare that the UFC would put a fighter next in line following a win over a non-top-five fighter…
The welterweight division is stacked with contenders right now, but with Makhachev completely disrupting the landscape due to his attempt at becoming a two-division champion, an alternate option that could fast-track Usman could come in the shape of fighting either Sean Brady or Ian Garry.
UFC rumors have suggested that the pair will face off next in some sort of title eliminator, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Since Usman’s impressive performance over Buckley this past weekend, he could easily take one of these contenders and cement himself as the next in line.
Islam Makhachev would be the top WW if he joined, pretty confident wit that take. As for the rest, in terms of overall ability imo it goes:
Shavkat Rakhmonov > Ian Garry > Belal Muhammad > Joaquin Buckley > Sean Brady > Kamaru Usman > Jack Della Maddalena > Leon Edwards#UFC315 pic.twitter.com/N2Tql50nt4
— Alex (@karlis_alex) May 10, 2025
Usman vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Here’s an easy path for Usman, and a fight that would guarantee, if successful, that he fights for the championship one more time…. The formidable and undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Big thanks to the UFC for offering me the shot at the belt first. Unfortunately, due to injury, I won’t be ready for May. I’ll be facing the winner later this year! 👊🏼
— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) February 20, 2025
Rakhmonov is currently injured, but according to UFC news via his coach, he has returned to training. And with that said, who wouldn’t want to see the unbeaten phenom versus one of the welterweight division’s greatest of all time?
LONGEST ACTIVE UFC WIN STREAKS – Welterweight
8 – Jack Della Maddalena
7 – Shavkat Rakhmonov
6 – Michael Morales 👊
6 – Joaquin Buckley pic.twitter.com/iDtG3spNEs— UFC (@ufc) May 18, 2025
Matchmaking the 170 lb weight class isn’t an easy job right now, but as Makachev is expected to be JDM’s inaugural title defense, the likes of Belal, Brady, Rakhmonov, Leon Edwards, Usman, and Garry will want to stay active and in the win column because you never know what could be around the corner!
