Overview
- Paramount reposted a UFC 324 clip showing Kamaru Usman approaching Islam Makhachev backstage as Khabib Nurmagomedov jokingly stepped between them.
- After capturing the welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, Makhachev signaled he wants Usman for his first defense.
- Usman said he has never trained with Makhachev or Nurmagomedov despite close friendships and is publicly pushing for another title shot.
- Fans and contenders, notably unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov, argue other welterweights have stronger claims to challenge next.
- No date or location is set for Makhachev’s next fight, and UFC event planning could determine the timing of any defense.