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Debate

Is Kamaru Usman dodging a bullet, or is he just being strategic about his next fight?

The welterweight title picture is taking the shape of a certified thriller classic as reports emerge of a new shake-up. For the unversed, Shavkat Rakhmonov had called for an interim title bout at UFC 310 after division king Belal Muhammad was forced to pull out owing to a bone infection. One of the fighters who had seemingly thrown their name in the hat to face the undefeated Kazakh on the Las Vegas card was former champion Kamaru Usman with hints on social media and his podcast that he was preparing for the scrap. However, now Usman has claimed that he might in fact, not be ready to fight on December 7.

“I’m getting ready if I get that call. But, to be honest, it’s a fight that I’ve looked at and I know it’s definitely a very winnable fight. And I know that I can, of all people, go out there and expose what hasn’t been exposed in a young, hungry, streaky guy in Shavkat Rakhmonov,” Usman told co-host Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast.

“He’s very talented, is very very good. But I do see the holes and I think that I can exploit that when that time is right. But December 7th might be a little too early for that time. So yeah, that’s where I’m at with it,” Usman further clarified his position.

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As you may have noticed, Usman initially said that he would be ready if the UFC called him to fill in for ‘Bully B’ at UFC 310. But right after that, he clarified December 7 may be too early. It is still a bit confusing whether the former champion would be willing to fight Rakhmonov on the December card or not.

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This ambiguity may be deliberate on Usman’s part who may want to drive a hard bargain with the promotion and get favorable terms to agree to the fight citing the abridged timeline and how difficult it will be for him to prepare for it. But, if Usman indeed does not accept the clash against ‘Nomad’, it will undoubtedly compound the UFC’s troubles.

What’s your perspective on:

Is Kamaru Usman dodging a bullet, or is he just being strategic about his next fight?

Have an interesting take?

UFC may promote co-main event to main event status for UFC 310

Needless to say, Kamaru Usman’s recent statement is concerning for the main event of UFC’s last PPV card for 2024. After all, there were reports in the past few days that the UFC was indeed targeting a Usman-Rakhmonov interim title clash for UFC 310. Since the promotion seemingly has no other options for a replacement, it seems the card may see the co-main event between flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and debutant Kai Asakura promoted to main event status.

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On the other hand, Dana White and Co. may be waiting for UFC 309 to conclude this weekend to start seriously working on an alternative. Or they may break the news at the MSG card if they indeed have secured a replacement but have managed to keep it from leaking, which is also a possibility. As we have mentioned, the UFC has virtually no option other than Usman to fight Rakhmonov for the interim title at the moment. Why? Well, because most of the Top 10 are either coming off losses or are injured. #5 ranked Sean Brady is the only other real option the UFC has at the moment.

#7 ranked Ian Garry‘s name has also been thrown into the conversation, but the undefeated Irishman is set to headline a Fight Night card next month opposite #9 Joaquin Buckley. Of course, the UFC may choose to pull Garry out of that card and put him on the UFC 310 main event, but nothing has been announced yet. What are your thoughts on Kamaru Usman’s comments about a possible UFC 310 clash against Rakhmonov?

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