A conspiracy theory is swirling around the UFC landscape: is Islam Makhachev being steered toward an easier title defense, with a scheming manager quietly planting ideas to line up a favorable matchup? That’s the question some observers are posing as Welterweight talk intensifies.
Andrew Richardson, a professional fighter training with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, provides expert analysis for MMAmania.com. He breaks down fighters and matchups with a level of technical insight that fans won’t find anywhere else.
On the recent waves of news, Belal Muhammad, a former UFC Welterweight champion, has made clear he doesn’t want Kamaru Usman in the next title shot. The timing is pivotal: when Islam Makhachev moved up to 170 pounds and defeated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the Welterweight title, a new crop of contenders rose to the top. Carlos Prates and Michael Morales delivered standout knockouts that night, joining the ranks of potential threats such as Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry. It marked a significant moment for a rising generation of Welterweight talents, yet the immediate challenger for Makhachev remains unresolved.
Makhachev himself has signaled a preference for Usman, the former champion who recently defeated Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. That victory followed a stretch in which Usman had endured a three-fight winless period and spent considerable time on the sidelines.
Despite Muhammad’s friendship with Makhachev, he doesn’t automatically back Usman as the next challenger. He has hinted at a broader scheme in which Makhachev’s camp could be positioning for a smoother title bid, a dynamic he believes also benefits his own manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who represents both fighters. Muhammad suggests the same manager may have seeded thoughts about Usman as the next opponent to pave the way for a favorable outcome.
Muhammad questions whether Usman’s one comeback fight in recent years—a solitary win after a lengthy layoff—truly establishes him as the deserving next challenger, especially given Usman’s own recent results. He argues that Usman’s willingness to turn down fights in the past should not be a barrier to earning a title shot, particularly if other contenders have proven themselves more consistently in the current cycle.
The conversation then shifts back to the broader Welterweight scene, where Muhammad hints at unfinished business with Usman, rooted in a longstanding feud that traces back to a heated podcast exchange and rumored physical tensions. Yet, despite the tension, no official matchup has been scheduled for 2026.
With so much shifting in the Welterweight division, fans await concrete announcements about who will challenge Makhachev next. The landscape remains unsettled, and as new contenders emerge, the discussions about who deserves the next title chance continue to spark strong opinions and lively debate.
Would you weigh in: should Usman get another title shot based on his recent performances, or do newer contenders deserve the opportunity first? How much influence should management have in shaping title trajectories, and where do you draw the line between strategy and fairness in matchmaking?
