Kamaru Usman, a former UFC champion, has offered some suggestions for the lightweight division’s future.
Over the past five to ten years or more, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been quite fortunate. There are a few explanations for this, but the lightweight division immediately springs to mind. The UFC has had a completely stocked top 15 and beyond at 155 pounds for the longest time, from top to bottom. We can’t imagine a time when there weren’t some true killers living at Lightweight.
It has been an incredible spectacle to see, from champs to contenders and beyond. The younger generation is undoubtedly making an effort to break through, but they haven’t been successful yet. As a result, the UFC continues to be able to pair these men in amazing, well-publicized fights that showcase their extraordinary abilities.
Having saying that, matchmaking in the UFC isn’t exactly the most straightforward job in the world. Kamaru Usman made the decision to try it out in a recent episode of his podcast.
Booking scenarios for Usman’s UFC 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.”
“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.”
Quotes via Bloody Elbow
The possibilities truly are endless. So, instead of worrying about what the next crop of stars will look like, let’s just sit back and appreciate what we have for the time we have left with them.
SHARE
