UFC Veteran Jorge Masvidal Weighs in on Potential Islam Makhachev vs Kamaru Usman Fight
As the UFC welterweight division continues to heat up, a potential fight between current champion Islam Makhachev and former champion Kamaru Usman has been gaining traction. With Makhachev preparing to defend his title for the first time, many are speculating about who his next opponent will be. According to recent reports, Usman is the frontrunner to challenge Makhachev, and the current champion has expressed interest in making the fight happen.
This potential matchup would not only give Usman the opportunity to reclaim the title he lost to Leon Edwards but also provide a chance for him to ride off into the sunset on a high note. However, UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal, who has faced Usman twice before, believes that this fight would be a tough one for Makhachev. In a recent episode of his “Death Row MMA” podcast, Masvidal shared his thoughts on why Usman poses a significant threat to Makhachev’s title reign.
According to Masvidal, Usman’s grappling background and defensive wrestling skills make him a formidable opponent for Makhachev. “That’s somebody that I know personally could wrestle back into Makhachev,” Masvidal said. “That’s his forte, that’s what Usman started with is his grappling background. Usman is no pushover in the wrestling.” Masvidal also highlighted Usman’s experience fighting long fights on his feet and using his defensive wrestling to outmaneuver opponents, citing his previous fights against Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev as examples.
Masvidal’s Expert Analysis
Masvidal’s assessment of the potential fight is rooted in his own experience facing Usman in the octagon. Having lost to Usman twice, Masvidal has firsthand knowledge of the former champion’s skills and abilities. He believes that Usman’s size, length, and strength would give Makhachev problems, particularly in the wrestling department. “I think this is the most dangerous fight for Makhachev at 170,” Masvidal said. “That’s a big step up in competition.” Masvidal also noted that while Jack Della Maddalena is a talented fighter with good hands and wrestling defense, he is not on the same level as Usman in terms of defensive powers.
While it remains to be seen whether the UFC will book the Makhachev-Usman fight, Masvidal’s analysis provides valuable insight into the potential matchup. As a veteran fighter with experience facing both men, Masvidal’s opinion carries weight, and his comments are likely to spark further debate among fans and pundits alike. Whether or not the fight ultimately materializes, one thing is certain – the UFC welterweight division is heating up, and the next title defense will be one to watch.
Quotes from Masvidal’s podcast were obtained via MMA Junkie.
