Undefeated UFC welterweight prospect Ian Garry has revealed that former champion Kamaru Usman has turned down a potential clash with him at UFC Tampa on December 14. However, ‘The Future’ did not just reveal this in a tweet but took the opportunity to mock ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ over his refusal to face him.

And in signature Ian Garry fashion, he used perhaps the worst insult that one could direct at the former champion- comparing him to Colby Covington. To be fair, the undefeated Irishman made this comparison because ‘Chaos allegedly refused to fight Garry despite having an extensive and quite heated back and forth with him earlier this year.

“I thought you were built different, but turns out you and Colby are more similar than I thought. Say YES, see you December 14th!” he wrote.

Usman has been out of action since last year when he moved up a division to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. But after losing that bout, whose winner was promised a middleweight title shot, he came back to welterweight. And after Belal Muhammad became the new champion at UFC 304, Usman threw his name into the hat as ‘Bully B’s next opponent. However, that is now out of the realm of possibility with Shavkat Rakhmonov officially scheduled to face Muhammad at UFC 310 in December.

But still, a fight with #7 ranked Garry will do nothing to advance Usman’s chances of another title shot, which is why he has wisely turned it down. But why does Garry want Usman to be his next opponent?

A win over Kamaru Usman would help Ian Garry make a case for a title shot next

Garry, of course, is coming off of a win over the sublime striker, Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303, and is currently ranked #7 in the division. And ‘The Future’ claimed after his latest victory that he feels he is one fight away from fighting for the title. And to make that a reality, that ‘one fight’ needs to not only be against a top-ranked 170-pounder but one who is in a position to catapult Garry to the very top of the title ladder. And that is why he wants to fight a veteran like Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman.

Of course, some fans feel that the Irishman is only calling out the duo since they are on a downward slope and coming off of losses, rather than fight the likes of #4 ranked Jack Della Maddalena or #5 ranked Sean Brady, both of whom are ahead of Garry in the division. Another important point to remember is that Garry has made it clear that he will only fight guys ranked above him, which takes the rest of the top ten out of the picture for his next opponent.

Given all of that, who better for the Irishman to fight next than not just the #2 ranked, former champion, but also the man Dana White considers the welterweight GOAT- Kamaru Usman? What are your thoughts on Ian Garry calling out Usman?