Syed Talib
Updated on: October 11, 2024 3:32 pm GMT
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has thrown his support behind Kamaru Usman, arguing that the former welterweight champion deserves the next title shot against current champion Belal Muhammad. This comes after Muhammad claimed victory over Leon Edwards in July, a fight that marked the beginning of his reign as champion.
Rogan Advocates for Usman’s Title Shot
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan asserted that the UFC “owes” Usman the opportunity to fight for the welterweight title due to his willingness to step in on short notice against Khamzat Chimaev last year. Usman, now 37, has experienced a difficult stretch, losing three consecutive fights, including his two previous matches against Edwards. Despite this, Rogan believes that Usman’s history with the organization and current circumstances warrant a title shot.
Rogan stated, “They owe Kamaru for Kamaru taking Khamzat on 10 days’ notice. And also, a three-rounder instead of a five-rounder. When he won the third… it looked to me like he was coming on in third.” This support reflects Rogan’s view of Usman’s resilience and talent, even in light of recent setbacks.
Belal Muhammad’s Champion Aspirations
Belal Muhammad, the current UFC welterweight champion, is already considering contenders for his first title defense. After his victory over Leon Edwards, Muhammad expressed his desire to be an active champion and has explored multiple potential opponents. Among these is the undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, who boasts an impressive record of finishes in his first six UFC fights. Despite Rakhmonov’s strong candidacy for the title shot, Muhammad has entertained the possibility of facing Usman as well.
In a recent interview, Muhammad acknowledged that facing Usman might pose a more significant challenge than Rakhmonov. He remarked, “For me, I would think Usman’s a tougher fight. When I see Shavkat, I see a lot of holes and I see many paths to victory.” This statement underscores Muhammad’s respect for Usman’s fighting abilities and the stakes involved in a potential matchup.
Usman’s Recent Performance and Future
Kamaru Usman’s last victory came against Colby Covington at UFC 268, where he won by unanimous decision. Since then, he has suffered defeats in two subsequent title fights with Edwards, including a devastating knockout loss at UFC 278. The losses have raised questions about Usman’s trajectory in the welterweight division, especially given his age and competitive landscape in the sport.
Despite his recent struggles, Rogan emphasizes the importance of Usman’s experience and skill set. He warns that Usman may not have many more opportunities at the championship level due to his age. In support of Usman, Rogan stated, “You don’t have many more years of Kamaru now, he’s like 37… I say give him another shot.” This perspective reflects the urgency of capitalizing on Usman’s remaining fighting years, especially in light of his previous accomplishments in the sport.
The Landscape of the Welterweight Division
The welterweight division has become a competitive arena, with several impressive fighters emerging as title contenders. Alongside Usman and Rakhmonov, other fighters such as Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal are also eyeing potential title shots in the near future.
As champion, Muhammad has the opportunity to shape the division’s future and determine who earns a shot at his title. His recent discussions about facing both Usman and Rakhmonov highlight the range of possibilities available to him.
Conclusion
People are talking a lot about Kamaru Usman and his chance to fight for the title in the UFC’s welterweight division. Joe Rogan is supporting Usman, while the current champion, Belal Muhammad, is thinking about what to do next. What happens next is really important for everyone involved. As the welterweight division changes, these talks will have a big effect on the fighters’ careers and the champion’s place in UFC history.
