The UFC’s welterweight division has come alive once again. After Kamaru Usman‘s remarkable, seemingly invincible run in the division as champion from 2019 to 2022, the division is open after his shocking head-kick knockout loss to Leon Edwards two years ago at UFC 276.

Considered the welterweight GOAT by many, including UFC CEO Dana White, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is at the lowest point of his career so far, having lost his last three fights. And based on recent developments, it seemed like the former champ would face undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov next. But a recent tweet from the latter has spoiled these plans.

Shavkat Rakhmonov refuses the Kamaru Usman matchup

Shavkat Rakhmonov is perhaps the most dangerous man in all of the UFC. Not only is ‘Nomad’ undefeated in his 18 pro MMA fights, but he has also finished every single opponent he has ever faced. Including his last opponent, the striking maestro Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, a victory over whom at UFC 296 has seen him rise in the rankings so that he is the #3 ranked 170-pounder.

A behind-the-scenes documentary of the UFC showed UFC boss Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov discussing and agreeing that a bout between Rakhmonov and the former champion Usman makes a lot of sense. Making a lot of good points, the former lightweight champ was able to convince White that two of the most dangerous welterweights in UFC history are facing each other next. And the UFC CEO had agreed with Dagestani.

But it seems like Shavkat Rakhmonov is not very enthusiastic about a Usman fight. His latest tweet, where he threw his hat in for a title shot after UFC 304, seems to attempt to address the aforementioned matchup with Usman. “JDM is hurt; Usman and Colby don’t want it. I’m ready to face the winner of Leon vs. Belal,” he wrote.

#2-ranked Belal Muhammad, on a ten-fight undefeated streak, has been waiting to face champion Edwards since last year. And after a year of uncertainty, he has gotten his wish. Finally scheduled to face champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, England. Whoever wins the bout, one thing is clear: ‘Nomad’ is next in line.

In his tweet, Rakhmonov correctly pointed out how he is the only real contender for the 170-pound throne after UFC 304. #4-ranked Colby Covington just lost to Edwards at UFC 296 last December (and has recently refused an Ian Garry fight). Usman, on the other hand, hasn’t faced another fellow 170-pounder since losing his title back in 2022. And promising welterweight prospect #5 ranked Jack Della Maddalena broke his arm in his last fight against welterweight gatekeeper Gilbert Burns and, therefore, is out for some months. All of this means that all roads leading to the next title contender lead to Rakhmonov. But why were Dana White and ‘Khabib’ so excited to make Usman-Rakhmonov?

Why did Khabib Nurmagomedov want Usman-Rakhmonov?

In the behind-the-scenes documentary ‘Fight Inc.: Inside the UFC’, Khabib Nurmagomedov happily chatted away with his former and Kamaru Usman’s current manager, Ali Abdelaziz. Until Dana White walks into the room. The manager at once conveys Usman’s wishes to White, telling the Power Slap founder who Usman wants to face next: Stephen Thompson.

This did not go down well with ‘The Eagle’, and the latter at once protested this matchup. But why? The former AKA gym member pointed out that a Rakhmonov fight would be much more exciting for fans, in addition to being more consequential for Usman as it would allow Usman to storm back into the title picture, which ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is very far from at the moment.

“Can you imagine if he fight with Shavkat and he beat Shavkat [who is] a beast, he is undefeated, and he beats [him], he’s gonna become contender. If you gonna fight with Stephen Thompson, like today, and versus Shavkat, what fights gonna make you nervous?” ‘Khabib’ asked.

Usman’s last appearance in the octagon, of course, was in the 185-pound middleweight division. But it only added to his woes. The former champ accepted a short-notice fight against hyped UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last year, which he lost via a controversial majority decision.

The fact that this was his third loss in a row has seemingly made him tentative about suffering another loss, which would be horrible for his reputation and indeed his career. This is why he wants to face ‘Wonderboy’, who is 41. Not to mention, the South Carolinan has also lost three of his last four fights.

And this fight seems to still be very much on the table, despite White and Nuramgomedov’s preference, since Rakhmonov is only interested in facing whoever is the champion after UFC 304.