Overview
- Usman said on the Pound-4-Pound podcast he is lining up Islam Makhachev or Jack Della Maddalena as his next opponent.
- He reaffirmed plans to pursue a second divisional title and dismissed the notion that he is nearing retirement.
- Usman urged Dana White not to rush an Ilia Topuria fight with a potential welterweight champion Makhachev, warning it would disrupt the title queue.
- Makhachev is scheduled to face Della Maddalena for welterweight gold at UFC 322 in New York, and he told ESPN he is interested in a Topuria matchup at a proposed White House event if he wins.
- The division remains congested with Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales at UFC 322, Ian Garry vs. Belal Muhammad set for November, and Shavkat Rakhmonov sidelined, while Usman sits at No. 5 after beating Joaquin Buckley in June.