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Islam Makhachev confirms he will make UFC welterweight move: ‘I want to fight for another belt’

Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he will make a move to the promotion’s welterweight division in the future – touting his aspirations to land a second Octagon crown. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 most recently back in February of this year against featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski – […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 most recently back in February of this year against featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski – defending his championship in a close, unanimous decision victory over the Australian.

First minting himself as undisputed gold holder back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE atop a UFC 280 pay-per-view card – Makahchev snapped the division-best streak of Charles Oliveira in a vacant title fight, stopping the Brazilian with an arm-triangle choke.

Islam Makhachev confirms he will make welterweight division leap

Weighing up potential future title defenses against the likes of Beneil Dariush, and even former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor – in what Makhachev has branded a lucrative fight, the Makhackala native has stressed his interest in fighting at the welterweight limit to add to his trophy cabinet.

“100 percent,” Islam Makhachev said of a potential welterweight move during an appearance on WEIGHING IN. “One day I want to fight for another belt. I know, I’m not gonna be like, you know, so [much] smaller – maybe a little bit – I’m big too. I know I can take a second belt.”

“This is my dream, you know,” Islam Makhachev said. “Two belts, two shoulders.”

In the midst of a 12-fight winning run which includes his title win and subseqeunt defense against Oliveira, and Volkanovski, respectively – Makhachev has landed victories over the likes of Bobby Green, Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises, Drew Dober, and surging Armenian contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

At the time of publication, Leon Edwards currently holds the undisputed welterweight title, however, the Birmingham native puts his belt on the line this weekend at UFC 286 against former champion and Makhachev’s Dominance MMA stablemate, Kamaru Usman.

Kamaru Usman seeks redemption against Leon Edwards at UFC 286: ‘It’s a matter of remembering who I am’

Kamaru Usman is on a mission to re-capture the UFC welterweight title at UFC 286. The former champion will face Leon Edwards in a trilogy fight on March 18. Last August, Usman was a round away from retaining his title. Edwards threw a last-minute head kick to claim UFC gold for the first time. It […]

Kamaru Usman is on a mission to re-capture the UFC welterweight title at UFC 286.

The former champion will face Leon Edwards in a trilogy fight on March 18. Last August, Usman was a round away from retaining his title. Edwards threw a last-minute head kick to claim UFC gold for the first time. It was Usman’s first loss in 16 UFC fights.

Now, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is determined to prove himself against Edwards at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Kamaru Usman Became Candid About His Approach at UFC 286

He shared his mindset heading into his return to action during an episode of “Anatomy of a Fighter”.

“For me, it’s imperative that I continue to be honest with myself… I can’t lie to myself and trick it, because once [we] get [in the octagon] your heart truly knows. I try to be as honest with myself as possible. There is a process, you know, when you get hit with a certain technique you have to make sure that doesn’t happen again. It’s a matter of me still remembering who I am, going in there and being mindful of what has happened. But ultimately, reminding him who he is. Who he’s less than.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)

Before his 2022 loss against Edwards, Usman was on a tear in the welterweight division. He defended the throne against Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns. He will aim to recapture UFC gold on March 18.

Leon Edwards claims KO loss will haunt Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 286: ‘I just can’t see how he defeats me’

Undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has claimed that he still cannot imagine a scenario in where former division kingpin, Kamaru Usman reclaims his championship at UFC 286 next weekend in England – explaining how his August knockout loss will play heavy on his mind. Headlining UFC 286 next weekend at The O2 Arena in […]

Headlining UFC 286 next weekend at The O2 Arena in London, England, Team Renegade BJJ & MMA mainstay, Edwards struck gold back in August of last year in Salt Lake City, Utah – snatching the undisputed welterweight crown with a stunning rallying finish.

Taking main event honors in his Utah rematch with Usman, Edwards was conceivably down on all three judge’s scorecards approaching the end of the fifth round, before springing with a spectacular left high-kick knockout in the final minute, dropping and stopping Auchi native, Usman with a brutal stoppage.

Leon Edwards supremely confident ahead of first title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 next weekend

Now slated to headline on home soil for the first time in his lengthy Octagon tenure next weekend in the capital, Birmingham native, Edwards has echoed claims that he simply cannot imagine a scenario where Usman puts knockout woes behind him and defeats him next week.

“Right now, he’s (Kamaru Usman) 35, 36 years old, coming off a knockout and fighting the same guy that just knocked him out,” Leon Edwards told BT Sport during filming as part of his training camp for UFC 286. “So, let’s see how he comes back and how he reacts.”

“I just can’t see how he goes out there and defeats me [at UFC 286],” Leon Edwards explained.

Prior to his championship win over Usman back in August of last year, Edwards had landed a unanimous decision victory over former UFC lightweight title challenger and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz in Glendale, Arizona — continuing his stunning division winning streak.

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Full Main Card Revealed

The UFC is back in London with just their second pay-per-view event, and UFC 286 is coming together nicely. With UFC 285 in the books, fans are already forced to look ahead at the second pay-per-view of the month, as UFC 286 is set to take place at The…

Continue Reading UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Full Main Card Revealed at MMA News.

Exclusive | Undefeated Lerone Murphy details dream UFC fight and previews UFC 286: “That’s the biggest fight in the world.”

With UFC 286 just over two weeks away, featherweight prospect Lerone Murphy is ready to go, but he still hasn’t found an opponent willing to step up. After a substantial time away from the octagon, it seemed as though Murphy’s return to home soil was confirmed against his English counterpart Nathaniel Wood. Although with a […]

With UFC 286 just over two weeks away, featherweight prospect Lerone Murphy is ready to go, but he still hasn’t found an opponent willing to step up.

After a substantial time away from the octagon, it seemed as though Murphy’s return to home soil was confirmed against his English counterpart Nathaniel Wood.

Although with a month to spare, Nathaniel Wood disappointingly announced that he had to pull out from the fight due to a sliced knee he suffered in training. Wood described it as a “freak accident” during wrestling practice, and says that movement in his knee is severely limited until his stitches are removed.

Based on Murphy’s recent tweet, he may not see it the same way Wood does.

Just for the record I entered my debut on a grade 2 mcl tear on 3 weeks notice. Same with my second bout against ramos, I even had a elbow tear in that one too. If I sign up I make it, unless I’m bed bound.

— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) March 1, 2023

Murphy’s last fight came in October of 2021, when he managed to knock out the highly experienced Makwan Amirkhani in the second round. He currently holds an 11-0-1 record featuring seven knockouts, with six of them coming in the very first round.

Lerone Murphy LowKickMMA Exclusive

Speaking in a recent interview with LowKickMMA’s Tim Wheaton, Murphy says he feels like he’s in ideal shape and on schedule with his weight cut.

Without any limitations on who he may stand across come March 18, Murphy says if it was up to him the obvious answer would be Conor McGregor. He praised McGregor’s legacy in the UFC and says he began watching the UFC during McGregor’s early featherweight dominance to stardom, stating:

“That’s the biggest fight in the world. Everyone knows that, no one needs to shy away from it.”

Murphy also previewed the exciting trilogy headlining the O2 arena for UFC 286 and backed his fellow countryman Leon Edwards to conclude his business with Kamaru Usman and come out with a victory. He believes that after the incredible run Usman managed at welterweight, running into the catastrophe that occurred in the final round against Edwards will determine his future.

“You’re not gonna come back the same fighter.”

He attributes his prediction to the massive advantage he could have in his home nation, and the elimination of the high altitude which Murphy believes may have gassed Edwards out in their previous matchup.

Murphy also believes that Usman should’ve taken at least one year off to recover from the shocking knockout at UFC 278.

Looking back at his own career, Murphy does not care who the UFC offers him, as long as he finds an opponent.

He rates himself highly among his featherweight company, and if he manages to find an opponent and convincing win on March 18, then he may very well find himself ranked among the top 15.

Murphy understands he is still human and has questioned himself just days away from fights before.

“Why did I pick this life?”

He has kept his head up despite the missing opponent he’s been looking for, and has kept a positive mindset by training as if his matchup was confirmed.

“With preparation comes confidence.”

Will someone step up in time to face Lerone Murphy?

Tyron Woodley Questions Not Getting Rematch After Losing Title

Tyron Woodley has questioned why so many UFC champions seem to be getting immediate rematches following losses when he never received that opportunity. The 40-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since 2021 when he was submitted in the first round by Vicent…

Continue Reading Tyron Woodley Questions Not Getting Rematch After Losing Title at MMA News.