Is Islam Makhachev playing it safe? That's the question Belal Muhammad is posing, suggesting Makhachev might be strategically maneuvering for an 'easier' title defense against Kamaru Usman.
Last month, Makhachev etched his name in UFC history, becoming only the 11th fighter to hold titles in multiple weight classes after dominating Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt at UFC 322. This victory opened up exciting possibilities for his first title defense at 170 pounds, with contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Morales, and Ian Machado Garry vying for the spot.
But here's where it gets controversial: Makhachev seems to prefer a title shot against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Muhammad believes there's a strategic reason behind this, stating, "When I look at, especially the welterweight division, Islam being the champion, who do I think deserves it? Who do I think has earned it? I think Michael Morales, for sure, has earned it." He points out Morales' impressive win against Sean Brady, highlighting his undefeated record and finishing ability.
Muhammad suggests that Makhachev is 'planting seeds' to set up a fight with Usman, possibly influenced by their shared manager. He questions whether Usman is perceived as a more manageable opponent, especially considering Usman's recent record of 1-3 in his last four fights, with only one fight in the last three years.
But here's a thought-provoking twist: Muhammad's critique isn't just about merit. He has a personal history with Usman, stemming from an altercation on Usman's podcast. This adds a layer of animosity, with Muhammad eager to settle their differences in the octagon, while Usman hasn't shown the same enthusiasm. Muhammad boldly states, "I’m still ahead of you, even though I lost my last two fights. I’m still 2-2. So, you could talk, you can say whatever you want. You turned down a fight."
Muhammad, who himself lost the title to Della Maddalena and then his return fight to Machado Garry, is looking to turn things around. If Usman doesn't get the title shot, Muhammad wants to face him, stating, "If it is Morales, I do think me and Usman makes the most sense. I’ve been wanting that fight, asking for the fight. We’ll see if we get the fight.”
What do you think? Is Makhachev strategically choosing an easier path? Does Usman deserve a title shot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
In other news:
- Anderson Silva reacts to Jake Paul facing Anthony Joshua.
- Ilia Topuria claims he’s being extorted with ‘false allegations of domestic abuse.’
- Alex Pereira casts doubt on returning for UFC White House card.
- MMA veteran Geronimo dos Santos dies after drowning in river.
Video Highlights:
- Anderson Silva interview.
- Best UFC KOs of 2025.
- Farewell to Good Guy/Bad Guy.
- Alexander Volkanovski has kangaroo burgers with Israel Adesanya.
- Latest 1-minute scraps from Dan Hooker.
Social Media Buzz:
- Tyson Fury training with Nick Diaz. Sort of.
- Ouch.
- I don’t really know what’s happening here, but now you’ve seen it, too.
- Michael Chandler on parenting.
- Paulo Costa living it up.
- Definitely not mad.
- Jiri Prochazka as Saint Nicholas.
Final Thoughts: I refuse to believe the UFC will book Islam vs. Usman. It would be so, so terrible. The belts needs to mean something, and if they continue to just book with no regard for even the most basic levels of merit, the whole thing falls apart. There’s just no reason to give Usman a title fight right now. I hope I’m right and common sense wins out. (I’m probably wrong, aren’t I?)
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.
