Kamaru Usman Ignites: The Epic Showdown with Islam Makhachev Will Be a ‘Masterpiece’ Before Leaving the Arena

The UFC welterweight division just got a major jolt of electricity as Islam Makhachev has officially vacated his lightweight title to move up in weight — and former champ Kamaru Usman is all for it.

The man once known as “The Nigerian Nightmare” is making his long-awaited return at UFC Atlanta, where he’ll headline the event against surging knockout artist Joaquin Buckley. But even with his own tough fight on the horizon, Usman is already eyeing bigger game, and the newly-entered Makhachev may be his last dance.

Kamaru Usman on Islam Makhachev’s Move to Welterweight: “I Love It”

Speaking with Kevin Iole ahead of UFC Atlanta, Usman shared his genuine excitement about Islam Makhachev’s bold move up from 155 pounds to welterweight, even though Makhachev’s presence adds more competition to an already stacked division.

“There’s a reason this is the marquee division in the sport — almost in all sports, around this weight class, lightweight to welterweight,” Usman said. “It’s the marquee weight class for excitement. I love it. I love Islam coming up. At one point I would have been a little annoyed with it, but I’m older and I’m wiser now.”

Usman, now 37 and contemplating the twilight of his decorated UFC career, expressed mutual respect for Makhachev, calling him a fighter he truly “cares for.”

“At the same time, I love Islam, I really care for him,” Usman continued. “If this is the decision he wanted to make and chose to make, then I’m all for it.”

Respect for Makhachev’s Title Sacrifice

Makhachev didn’t take the easy route to move up in weight. By relinquishing his lightweight title, he opened the door for new matchups in both divisions — including Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the now-vacant 155-pound strap at UFC 317.

“As it pertains to me as a fighter, I love it. I believe he’s next to challenge for that [welterweight] title. As a champion going up, you should absolutely get that opportunity, if you’re willing to vacate the belt like he did. I love it,” Usman emphasized.

That’s high praise from a former king who once defended the welterweight title five times and was ranked No. 1 in the pound-for-pound rankings. Usman sees Makhachev’s courage to vacate as a sign of greatness, not entitlement.

JDM vs. Makhachev: The Next Title Fight

Before Makhachev can aim at the crown, he has a mountain to climb in the form of Jack Della Maddalena, the dangerous Aussie who recently stunned Belal Muhammad and disrupted the welterweight pecking order.

“I think him and Jack, I think that’s a fantastic fight,” Usman said. “I don’t count Jack out — Jack is a very formidable opponent. I said that even before his last fight. I said this is a guy, if you sleep on him, he will ruin your day. He ruined Belal’s year.”

Usman isn’t alone in praising JDM’s rise — the knockout artist from Perth has quickly become a fan favorite and a potential spoiler to Islam’s ambitions. With his lethal striking and unshakable composure, Jack Della Maddalena may be the biggest challenge of Makhachev’s career.

“JDM is definitely no easy out for anybody. So, it’s not just a shoo-in, Islam is gonna come in and get that belt. I do think Islam has the ability to do it, but it’s not going to be easy,” Usman warned.

The Potential Mega Fight: Usman vs. Makhachev

Should Makhachev defeat Della Maddalena and claim the welterweight title, it would open the door to a historic showdown between the former pound-for-pound king and the current one — Usman vs. Makhachev, a fight Usman calls a potential blockbuster sendoff.

“Fast forward, I mean current pound-for-pound versus former pound-for-pound, I think that’s a blockbuster,” he said. “That would be a great outing to go out there and get another blockbuster before I sail off.”

For Usman, this wouldn’t just be a money fight — it would be a legacy-defining matchup. Facing a dominant champion like Makhachev, who has dismantled names like Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, and Alexander Volkanovski, would offer Usman the kind of sendoff reserved for true legends of the sport.

What’s at Stake at UFC Atlanta

But first, Usman must focus on the task at hand. In Joaquin Buckley, he faces a relentless striker who has reinvented himself after moving down from middleweight. Buckley is on a tear, and a win over Usman would instantly place him in title contention.

If Usman emerges victorious, it would reestablish him as a legitimate contender in a welterweight landscape that’s undergoing a major shift.

A New Era for the UFC Welterweight Division

With Leon Edwards holding the title, Makhachev on the rise, JDM ready for war, and Kamaru Usman plotting a grand finale, the welterweight division is heating up like never before.

The convergence of these storylines — youth versus experience, champion versus former champion, striker versus grappler — is setting the stage for one of the most exciting eras in UFC history.

Final Thoughts: A Class Act Bows Out With Style?

Kamaru Usman’s approach to this late-career chapter is refreshing. Rather than chasing easy fights or fading quietly, he’s looking to test himself against the best, possibly culminating in a showdown with Islam Makhachev.

“Another blockbuster before I sail off.”

With those words, Usman hints at his final mission — to share the cage with one of the sport’s most feared and respected fighters, not for the paycheck, but for the legacy.

As the UFC heads to Atlanta this weekend, all eyes will be on Usman. If he wins, the table may be set for Usman vs. Makhachev, a generational clash that promises fireworks and a farewell worthy of a legend.