Kamaru Usman’s title dreams are still alive in 2025.
The former UFC Welterweight Champion had a long road to get back into the win column. After nearly four years and a three-fight losing skid to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev, Usman returned in the main event of UFC Atlanta where he notched a dominant decision win over Joaquin Buckley.
His #5 ranking intact, Usman has set his sights on a title fight next.
However, Usman could be a ways from a title opportunity as champion Jack Della Maddalena will more than likely defend his title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev later this year.
In the meantime, a UFC legend has suggested Usman fight someone else for the next title shot and he knows just the guy.
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Chael Sonnen thinks Kamaru Usman should fight ‘alpha male’ Shavkat Rakhmonov in title eliminator
Shavkat Rakhmonov is the #3-ranked UFC Welterweight contender and holds a perfect 19-0 record.
Rakhmonov won a title eliminator bout against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 after then champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from a title defense. Unfortunately for Rakhmonov, injuries got in the way of a title fight, leaving him on the sidelines ever since.
Three-time UFC title challenger and analyst Chael Sonnen thinks the 38-year-old Usman should make a play for the undefeated contender.
“If you’re trying to get right to the title… I think one strategy, because I do believe Shavkat to be the true number one contender,” Sonnen said on Good Guy / Bad Guy.
“I do believe when Shavkat comes back, he’s probably gonna walk right into a title fight. I do believe between Islam [Makhachev] and Jack [Della Maddalena], I think Shavkat is the alpha male in that room
“I just think he’s the right size, and I think he matches up really well. I offer you that because I think that Kamaru could come out publicly and start going after Shavkat, saying let me fight him. Let me fight him for a number one contendership, of which if he won, I think he would be granted [a title shot].”
Sonnen continued.
“But even absent of getting that fight, should Shavkat walk right into a title fight, Usman’s now still aligning himself with one of the top two guys.
“I think strategy-wise, if he could align himself properly with Shavkat, and nobody’s gonna ask for that job. Nobody out there’s gonna ask to fight Shavkat. If he could come in and somehow get some business with him, it could pay off big.”
Shavkat Rakhmonov has fought once in the last 500 days
While one of the scarier contenders at 170 lbs with a 95% finish rate, injuries have kept Rakhmonov out of the Octagon.
Rakhmonov reportedly fought at UFC 310 last December with a torn MCL where he defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision.
Prior to that, ‘Nomad’ hadn’t fought in a year with his last fight coming against Stephen Thompson in Dec. 2023.
Time will tell when we’ll see Shavkat Rakhmonov back in action.