After UFC 300 Fight Stopped in Its Tracks, Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis Has Kamaru Usman’s Career Depending on It

Kamaru Usman might be keeping a close eye on the developments between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis. ‘The Last Stylebender’ and ‘Stillknocks’ were rumored to clash at UFC 300, but in a recent statement, Adesanya clarified that while he was ready to step up, Du Plessis’s team shut down the idea of a fight between the pair at the historic UFC event.

As such, Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, revealed that the outcome of a clash between the pair is a factor in his consideration to challenge for the UFC middleweight title. And depending on who holds the 185 lbs title next, it could potentially influence ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’s decision to return down to the welterweight division or move up to the middleweight division in the UFC!

So will Kamaru Usman consider another middleweight fight or return to welterweight?

Kamaru Usman recently shared his perspective on the rumored bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, which is speculated to occur later this year. The tension between Adesanya and Du Plessis originated from the latter’s comments regarding representing Africa in the UFC, sparking a feud between the two fighters. Now, the stage seems set for them to settle their differences inside the Octagon.

And so, speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman stated, “It does play a factor, yes, a bit,” when the topic of the clash between the two middleweight titans influencing his future decisions in the division was brought up. He went on to further clarify by stating, “Adesanya and Du Plessis, it makes sense. Yes, obviously the outcome of that would kind of play a factor in my decision.”

His comments are interesting, considering that he had previously revealed that during his and Adesanya’s reign as champions in the welterweight and middleweight divisions respectively, he had refrained from moving up to 185 lbs out of respect for their friendship.

As the middleweight division storyline unfolds, Usman’s perspective adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving narrative within the division and provides a deeper look at what the future could hold for him.

Read More: UFC 300: Dricus Du Plessis Down to Fighting Israel Adesanya; Opens Up on Rejecting Dana White’s Offer

But he has also put Khamzat Chimaev on notice, as during the podcast episode, he revealed his plans for redemption against ‘Borz’!

‘Borz’ offered a chance for another clash by Usman

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is contemplating his future in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions. In his short-notice 185 lbs debut against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last year, Usman lost a hard-fought decision over 3 rounds.

But in a recent statement for MMAJunkie on his podcast, Pound 4 Pound, with co-host Henry Cejudo, he stated, “He wants to be a championship-level fighter, why not do a rematch of that for five rounds? Everybody wanted that.”

He also went on to state that along with the Chimaev rematch, he has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the welterweight division and reclaiming the title he lost to Leon Edwards. As he weighs his options, fans eagerly await Usman’s next move, whether it’s pursuing middleweight redemption or staging a comeback in the welterweight ranks.

Do you think Kamaru Usman should return to the welterweight division or set his sights on a title in a higher weight class? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read More: UFC Update: Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland Will “Come Around” According to Ex-UFC Champ