TLDR
- UFC executive Hunter Campbell is pushing back on booking Kamaru Usman vs Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title
- Usman has gone 1-3 in his last four fights, prompting UFC to consider fresher contenders like Ian Machado Garry
- Both Usman and Makhachev have expressed interest in fighting each other, but UFC matchmakers prefer a different direction
- UFC offered Usman alternative fights including former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis
- No official decision has been made on Makhachev’s next title defense despite ongoing negotiations
Sources: Bloody Elbow | BJPenn.com | MMA Junkie
Kamaru Usman’s hopes of challenging Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title appear to be fading after the former champion revealed that UFC matchmakers are pushing back on the potential superfight.
During a recent appearance on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Usman disclosed that Hunter Campbell, one of the UFC’s top executives, prefers a different direction for Makhachev’s next title defense. “For some reason, we’ve had conversations, but Hunter Campbell feels differently and Hunter Campbell is like, ‘Maybe not,’ he wants to go a different way,” Usman said.
The uncertainty comes despite both fighters expressing strong interest in facing each other. Makhachev, the current UFC welterweight champion, has stated he prefers fighting Usman over other contenders.
UFC Considering Fresher Contenders
Usman’s recent record may be contributing to the UFC’s hesitation. The former welterweight king has gone 1-3 in his last four fights, though he did rebound with a recent victory over Buckley.
Top contender Ian Machado Garry has been vocal in his criticism of a potential Usman title shot. Garry has called the former champion irrelevant in 2026 and believes fresher contenders deserve the opportunity.
Makhachev has mentioned undefeated fighter Michael Morales as another worthy challenger at 170 pounds. The champion has said he’s willing to face any top contender in the welterweight division.
Usman described the situation as a “tumultuous back and forth” with UFC officials. He confirmed that no final decision has been made about Makhachev’s next opponent.
Alternative Fights on the Table
The UFC has presented Usman with other potential matchups outside the welterweight division. Dricus du Plessis, the former UFC middleweight champion, was mentioned as a possible opponent.
“Other things were presented to me, like potentially ‘DDP’ was presented to me or other guys,” Usman revealed. “Listen, there’s one thing about me, when they call and they say this guy or that guy or this guy, I don’t go, ‘Uh, maybe, maybe, maybe,’ no, I say yes.”
Du Plessis hasn’t fought since losing the middleweight championship to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025. That defeat came via a dominant grappling performance from Chimaev.
Usman emphasized his willingness to take on any challenge the UFC presents. The former champion has built his reputation on accepting fights against top competition throughout his career.
Despite the setback with the Makhachev negotiations, Usman remains committed to fighting whoever the UFC books. He stressed his honesty about his abilities and his belief that a superfight with Makhachev would benefit all parties involved.
The UFC has not made an official announcement regarding Makhachev’s next title defense. Both Usman’s team and Makhachev’s camp have indicated they want the fight to happen, but the final decision rests with UFC matchmakers led by Campbell.
