The Kamaru Usman 2024 welterweight title shot prepare continues to achieve velocity.
Relying on who you ask, the “Nigerian Nightmare” is the best welterweight of all-time. Okay, that’s admittedly largely simply in the event you ask UFC CEO Dana White. Regardless, Usman is one in every of one of the best to ever do it at 170 kilos, and the previous champion nonetheless believes he can present he’s competing at an elite degree.
The brand new champion Belal Muhammad has teased curiosity in dealing with Usman for his first protection. Nevertheless, that idea has obtained backlash from the neighborhood because of Usman’s latest string of three losses (20-4) that started when he dropped the title to Leon Edwards in 2022. For longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan, none of that issues. Particularly contemplating the savior function that Usman performed in his final battle, a short-notice debut at middleweight towards Khamzat Chimaev.
“I believe they provide him Kamaru, that’s the large cash battle, it’s the good battle,” Rogan mentioned on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “They owe Kamaru for Kamaru taking Khamzat on 10 days’ discover. Additionally, a three-rounder as an alternative of a five-rounder when he received the third. So, he’s bought the L, however possibly if he goes 5 rounds, possibly he doesn’t get the L. It regarded to me like he was approaching within the third. He needed to determine him out, and in addition he needed to belief his gasoline tank. The man skilled 10 days for one of many scariest motherf*ckers on Earth. On Earth. I say you gotta give it to Kamaru, as a result of I believe Kamaru earned it from that alone.”
Chimaev defeated Usman by way of a majority choice of their bout at UFC 294 final October. Neither has fought since, however Chimaev’s scheduled to return subsequent month whereas Usman awaits his subsequent transfer, which he’s publicly mentioned he hopes is a shot at Muhammad.
The highest contender in most followers’ eyes is the undefeated 18-0 Shavkat Rakhmonov, who has additionally hurled verbal jabs Muhammad’s approach. Rogan likes that matchup as effectively, he simply sees time as extra in “The Nomad’s” favor than Usman’s.
“You don’t have many extra years of Kamaru now, he’s like 37 now,” Rogan mentioned. “I say give him one other shot. Shavkat, each win he’s a legend. Larger and greater legend. Give it to Kamaru.”
Whoever Muhammad defends towards first, he’ll proceed to battle towards the percentages after upsetting Edwards by unanimous choice at UFC 304 in July. Muhammad, 36, has gone unbeaten in 11 consecutive fights (24-3, 1 NC) and nonetheless has work to do earlier than he totally captures perception from the MMA world, believes Rogan.
“Belal doesn’t get practically the respect he deserves,” Rogan mentioned. “The best way he put it on Leon Edwards, how the f*ck do you not give that man all of the props? All of the flowers. He stopped Sean [Brady] standing up. While you see what he did to Leon, you’re like, ‘Good lord.’ Simply overwhelmed him. Overwhelming stress. On the toes, too. On the toes, f*cking harmful. By no means helps you to get set. All the time on the again foot.”
TOP STORIES
Rivals. Merab Dvalishvili guarantees it’s not private with Sean O’Malley however explains why he ‘wanted to smack his face’
Clarification. Demetrious Johnson reveals why he retired from combating: ‘I don’t find mixed martial arts fun anymore’
Shock. Quemuel Ottoni explains ‘anxiety crisis’ led to last-minute cancellation of DWCS battle
Choices. Kevin Lee says he offered to fight on Dana White’s Contender Sequence for a shot at UFC return
Unimpressed. Norma Dumont goes scorched earth on Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena title battle: ‘It’s going to be hard to watch’
Brian Ortega discusses falling off UFC 303, ending story with Diego Lopes at UFC 306
Numbers. Bellator San Diego fight night weights: Usman Nurmagomedov, Alexander Shabliy each pack on practically 20 kilos
LET’S WATCH
UFC 306 Pre-Combat Presser and Staredowns.
Between the Hyperlinks.
Embedded 4.
Champ life.
Unforgettable KOs.
Full fights
Fancy UFC 306 preview.
Aspinall swims.
MORNING MUSIC
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one in every of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at present actually into. I’ll choose one of the best one alongside my every day alternative and provide you with a shoutout! You too can share within the feedback beneath — these are simply tougher to sift by means of typically!
This month’s full playlist:
SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN
Pinata time.
Selections, certainly.
Noche prepared.
Cookin’.
Giddyup.
Mo-City methods.
I’m making a full sequence of each approach I’ve realized from my years combating in MMA. A-Z
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) September 13, 2024
Time.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nora Cornolle (8-1) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (7-1); UFC Paris, Sept. 28
Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-5) vs. Justin Tafa (7-4); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Mickey Gall (7-6) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (10-5); UFC 309, Nov. 16
Navajo Stirling (5-0) vs. Tuco Tokkos (10-4); UFC Tampa, Dec. 14
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pleased Friday, all people. One other week within the books with a giant weekend forward. I hope everybody has an ideal and secure time whatever the shenanigans you rise up to. Cheers, and thanks as all the time for studying.
EXIT POLL
Ballot
Will UFC 306 surpass a million PPV buys?
In the event you discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him learn about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
