Champ Makhachev calls out Usman for title defence

Fresh off his historic UFC 322 victory, Islam Makhachev is already eyeing his first welterweight title defence against former champion Kamaru Usman in what Alexander Volkanovski calls his “toughest test.”

The potential superfight, targeted for 2026, would pit Makhachev’s dominant grappling against Usman’s legendary wrestling in a stylistic clash that could define both fighters’ legacies.

Makhachev’s unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 marked a historic achievement in MMA. By capturing the welterweight title, he became the first fighter in UFC history to successfully move from lightweight championship glory to welterweight gold.

Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has confirmed his fighter’s enthusiasm for the matchup.

“He said it. He said he wanted to fight Kamaru Usman. Kamaru Usman (had a) 15-fight winning streak, five title defences, (the) greatest welterweight of all time,” Abdelaziz said during a backstage interview after UFC 322.

“Kamaru Usman is a very tough opponent, and I represent him too, and he’s not an easy night for anybody. He’s the real deal, and (Islam) wants to fight the real deal.”

Makhachev himself has expressed a clear preference for facing Usman over rising contenders like Michael Morales and Carlos Prates.

“They are young fighters who are hungry, but Kamaru is still dangerous and one of the best in this game. If you give me the choice… I’ll take Kamaru. But, it’s not my job, anyone (they give me), I’ll be ready,” Makhachev told Paul Felder in an interview.

After finally getting back to winning ways, Usman revealed that he wants another opportunity to reclaim the title he once held, saying in a recent interview on Submission Radio, “I need to get back to where I belong, and that’s being a champion.

“Me personally, I feel that I’m next.”

With the fight targeted for 2026, both fighters have time to prepare for what could be a legacy-defining contest. For Makhachev, a victory over a former champion of Usman’s calibre would solidify his status as an all-time great across multiple weight classes.