Kamaru Usman heard from another former welterweight titleholder after his win at UFC Atlanta.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman earned his first win in nearly four years with a dominant win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. Usman showcased the style that made him one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world, with elite wrestling to go with timely and technical striking.
UFC Atlanta marked Usman’s return to the welterweight division for the first time since his back-to-back title losses to Leon Edwards. Before UFC Atlanta, Usman hadn’t fought since a short-notice middleweight defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.
As Usman begins his latest pursuit of a UFC title, a chance to settle a long feud with a top contender is on the table.
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Belal Muhammad sends a message to Kamaru Usman after first win in four years
Belal Muhammad and Usman have shared beef for a little over a year, after the two former champions began to trade barbs online. Their trash talk turned into an alleged podcast altercation on Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast.
Muhammad lost the UFC welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 last month. Maddalena will likely face Islam Makhachev later this year, leaving Muhammad needing to win at least one fight to make a strong case for another title shot.
Ahead of UFC Atlanta, Usman dismissed a potential showdown with Muhammad, despite admitting to having disdain for the former champion. But after his performance, Muhammad took to social media to throw a veiled callout in Usman’s direction.
In a recent social media post, Muhammad reacted to Usman’s headlining win at UFC Atlanta.
“Congrats see you soon,” Muhammad posted on X.
Muhammad originally teased a potential booking against Shavkat Rakhmonov in the days after UFC 315. He and Rakhmonov were supposed to headline UFC 310 in December before Muhammad was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue.
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Kamaru Usman’s path back to the welterweight title could go through Belal Muhammad
Usman was dismissive of Muhammad during his UFC Atlanta post-fight media availability, preferring to be next in line to face the Maddalena vs. Makhachev welterweight title winner. Sean Brady is another name in the mix in the welterweight title picture, who Usman hinted he preferred to face for his comeback fight.
Despite Usman’s posturing, he may have to win at least one more fight against a top welterweight contender before earning another title shot. The top of the division is crowded with young, fresh challenges like Ian Machado Garry, Brady, and recent victor Michael Morales.
Usman turned back the clock and put on one of the signature performances of his legendary career, and will likely be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame once he decides to hang up the gloves. But in the meantime, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ is ready to make at least one last push towards reclaiming the welterweight throne.
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