Kamaru Usman seemed to return to form with a classic display at UFC Atlanta. This begs the question: where does his position stand in the competitive welterweight rankings now?
Despite Usman defeating a top 10 fighter like Joaquin Buckley, re-inserting the former champion isn`t as straightforward as simply swapping him for Buckley. Usman had dropped out of the rankings due to a layoff (his return fight was his first at welterweight in over two years), having previously held the No. 4 spot. The division has seen significant action since then, with new contenders emerging, including Buckley himself, alongside fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, Ian Machado Garry, and Michael Morales.
Does Usman deserve to immediately jump ahead of fighters who have been active and securing major victories during his time away? Furthermore, consider Leon Edwards, who defeated Usman twice for the UFC championship.
To be concise, yes, Usman has re-entered the top 5. He is positioned behind Rakhmonov and Brady but ahead of Garry and the unbeaten Morales. Ultimately, the panel found it difficult to overlook his impressive performance on Saturday, his extensive history in the 170-pound division, and even how competitive his recent losses were during what was arguably a three-fight downturn. While Usman is 38, his showing in Atlanta suggests he remains a formidable challenge for anyone in the weight class, potentially including highly-ranked contenders like Jack Della Maddalena, who the panel views as a significant force.
Usman claims he is waiting for the outcome of a currently unscheduled fight between Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, who is recognized as a pound-for-pound elite. However, the article suggests Usman ought to seriously consider a grudge match against Belal Muhammad. If Usman could deliver a performance against Muhammad similar to his win over Buckley, it would solidify the case for the welterweight legend deserving another shot at the championship.
Murray Blackwood