‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and ‘Triple C’ are looking to take Hunter Campbell’s position as UFC matchmaker extraordinaire.
The UFC lightweight division is in an interesting spot; with one former champion moving up from featherweight, and another set to retire in his next fight – all while there are still several athletes in the mix to face Islam Makhachev for the 155lb title.
How the promotion manages this round-robin will be decided over the next few weeks and months; with two former champions now sharing their predictions as to how this lightweight logjam should play out.
Kamaru Usman proposes five ‘fantastic’ fights to make at 155lbs
After breaking down the UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady main card, Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo offered their respective brackets for how they’d matchmake the top stars of the lightweight division.
“If I had to put my bracket together, I would have to say that Islam [Makhachev] is fighting Justin [Gaethje]” said Usman regarding the next championship title fight.
“And after that, if you want to give a fantastic fight for Dustin Poirier, the retirement fight, why don’t we do the third one with Max Holloway?
“And then, I would do Arman Tsarukyan vs Charles Oliveira [rematch], and then I would probably do the winner of Chandler vs Pimblett against Dan Hooker. I would do that.”
Dustin Poirier has two wins over Max Holloway already, but with his UFC retirement fight looming, a third showdown against ‘Blessed’ – especially with BMF on the line – would be a sensational fight to bow out with.
“The winner of Chandler vs Pimblett takes on Dan Hooker,” continued the former welterweight champion, before turning his attention towards former featherweight king Ilia Topuria.
“And Ilia Topuria [gets] Mateusz Gamrot… The one thing that we don’t see often is Ilia Topuria on his back, now give him a relentless wrestler who is very successful in the lightweight division.”
It didn’t take long for ‘Gamer’ Gamrot to respond to the Pound-4-Pound suggestion, writing on X: “That’s right champ, small guys us always great idea.”
Henry Cejudo offers alternative bracket for lightweight superstars
For the most part, Henry Cejudo agreed with Usman’s matchmaking, although there were one or two varying opinions as to what the promotion should offer ‘The Diamond’ for his send-off bout.
“There are two options: there’s the option with Max Holloway for the BMF… And let’s say Poirier does win, maybe the UFC decides to get rid of the BMF, that’s one.
“The other one that I think is more likely, is Ilia Topuria.
“So, like Islam is going to fight Justin Gaethje sometime in June or July, and I do see Ilia Topuria fighting Dustin Poirier – and you just do another rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira… That’s my bracket.”
Cejudo also pointed out that Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett could also soon be in that 155lb title mix; especially if the Scouse superstar can secure himself another viral finish at UFC 314 next month.
“Everything is still puzzled a little bit but depending on what Paddy does, I do feel like he can sneak in there – maybe not – but he could sneak in there and get that title [shot].
“The 155lb division is so good that you could match up any of these guys with each other and it’d all make sense.”