{"id":628085,"date":"2025-09-07T06:44:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T05:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=628085"},"modified":"2025-09-07T06:44:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T05:44:33","slug":"kamaru-usman-drops-intriguing-hint-about-facing-winner-of-islam-makhachev-vs-jack-della-maddalena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/kamaru-usman-drops-intriguing-hint-about-facing-winner-of-islam-makhachev-vs-jack-della-maddalena\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamaru Usman Drops Intriguing Hint About Facing Winner Of Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former champions never really go away quietly, do they? They lurk in the shadows like determined predators, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce back into title contention. Kamaru Usman knows this game better than most, having ruled the welterweight division with an iron fist for years before his reign came to an unexpected end. The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ was once considered nearly unbeatable, defending his title five times and looking virtually unstoppable until Leon Edwards landed that stunning head kick at UFC 278 in August 2022 that changed everything.<\/p>

After losing his belt to Edwards and then suffering back to back defeats to the Englishman, many wondered if Usman’s best days were behind him. However, Usman silenced his doubters with a dominant performance against Joaquin Buckley this past June, snapping his three fight losing streak. Now, with Jack Della Maddalena set to defend his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev at UFC<\/a> 322 on November 15, Kamaru Usman dropped an intriguing hint about facing the winner.<\/p>

Kamaru Usman Ready To Take On The Winner Of UFC 322<\/h2>

Jack Della Maddalena’s (18-2<\/a>) rise to champion status after defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May caught many off guard. But it also created an opening for established names like Usman to work their way back into contention. The Australian fighter’s perfect 8-0 UFC record is impressive, but facing a legend like Usman would be the ultimate test of his championship credentials. Talking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, this is what Usman said:<\/p>

“If JDM defends that title against Islam, who better to say OK, let’s solidify him as the new generation of champion by taking on the biggest name, the former pound-for-pound in the division, of course, me.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by MMA Pros Pick (@mma.pros.pick)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>