Kamaru Usman is coming off the best performance of his career over Jorge Masvidal last weekend. There is now a serious debate raging about who the welterweight king should face next. Some feel it should be Conor McGregor. Interestingly, Usman and McGregor have been taking part in a social media feud for weeks.
This is a fun fight to discuss. It doesn’t exactly make sense when considering these fighters compete in different weight classes, though. Today, we’ll talk about what might lead to this bout coming together.
Let’s get into it!
Conor McGregor’s Return is Just Over Two Months Away
There are more stars in MMA now than ever before. Conor McGregor remains the sport’s most notable figure. It’s an incredible feat when considering he has only fought three times since 2018. Conor has actually transcended the sport and is involved in several successful outside ventures.
Back in January, McGregor took part in a rematch with Dustin Poirier. All online sports betting websites had the Irishman listed as the significant favorite leading into fight night. Many felt he would score a knockout win and compete for the lightweight title.
Dustin had other plans. He immediately began chipping away at Conor McGregor’s lead leg kick calf kicks. The damage started to pile up and Poirier started landing punches too. Early in the second round, “The Diamond” landed a flurry of punches on Conor and earned a knockout win.
On July 10, these men will compete in a trilogy bout in front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas. It’s one of the biggest fights in UFC history. The winner is expected to compete for the lightweight title before the end of the year.
Conor has plenty of exciting options on the table. He’s a true competitor at heart and has expressed interest in making a return to the welterweight division at some point soon. That could come against Kamaru Usman, the division’s champion.
These two men are no fans of one another. There seems to be a growing feud growing between them. Here’s what you need to know about this situation.
The Social Media Feud Between Usman and McGregor is Heading Up
Kamaru Usman won the UFC’s welterweight title back in March of 2019. At that time, no one really knew how good he was. Usman had gained a reputation for being a gritty wrestler known for defeating his opponents via decision.
It’s now becoming clear that Usman is one of the best fighters of his generation. He has already recorded four defenses of his world championship. Most recently, he scored an incredible second-round knockout over Jorge Masvidal.
Shortly after Kamaru’s win last weekend, Conor McGregor took to Twitter and seemed to hint at a future fight with “The Nigerian Nightmare.” You can check out his Tweet below.
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Usman even copying my shots now. Am I to fight this guy at some stage?
I think so. Can’t be copying my words and my shots and not get a smack for it. I like 170. It’s mine soon. pic.twitter.com/FEQgj9AsAy— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 25, 2021
Kamaru Usman has been asked about a fight against Conor in the past. He would generally shoot this idea down, claiming McGregor would never be willing to step into the cage with him. This week, the champion was interviewed by TMZ and claimed this fight would not go well for McGregor.
“He’s fought once in the last year and a half and that didn’t end well for him,” Usman said. “Imagine what I would do to him. I would take his life in there.”
Usman and McGregor are two big names in the UFC. Kamaru Usman would likely be more than willing to compete against Conor if Dana White wanted to book this bout. First, McGregor will need to get past his old rival, Dustin Poirier. We’ll be sure to offer more updates on this fight coming together over the next few months.
The Title Picture at 170 Pounds is Now Unclear
It’s clear that Kamaru Usman is the best welterweight on the planet right now. The most recent win over Jorge Masvidal proved he is the king at 170 pounds. There is no shortage of elite fighters hunting for the world title, though.
UFC Dana White claims that Colby Covington is next in line for the belt. He competed with Usman a few years ago in what is considered one of the best title fights in UFC history. Many feel he has the best skills to dethrone the champion.
The May 15 bout between Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz could also determine the next number-one contender. Edwards is undefeated since 2015. Diaz is a superstar in the sport and could slide into a title fight with a win in this bout.
Some young prospects are also being moved up the rankings at 170 pounds. Khamzat Chimaev seems ready to return this summer and could earn a title shot with just a couple more wins in the Octagon. Some rumors point to him taking on Nick Diaz at some point soon.
It’s a great time to be an MMA fan. The welterweight division is now one of the most exciting in the sport. We’ll be sure to continue reporting on the title situation here as more details come out.
Would you be interested in seeing Usman and McGregor fighting? Who would win that fight? Let us know in the comments section below.
Kevin Oldroyd
A longtime sports and gambling enthusiast, Kevin looks to present up-to-date and reliable information for readers. If he’s not writing, he’s probably watching MMA or playing blackjack. …
