Henry Cejudo is all for former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman getting a title shot.
Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) is 1-3 in his past four fights, recently snapping his three-fight losing skid with a win over Joaquin Buckley in June. Despite not having the momentum that other contenders such as Ian Machado Garry, Michael Morales or Carlos Prates have, current champ Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) seems most interested in a title defense against Usman.
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Cejudo explains why his podcast host is the right choice.
“Kamaru does have the stylistic matchup to not get taken down, and then he’s got a beautiful 1-2,” Cejudo told Red Corner MMA. “That’s all it takes in the sport of mixed martial arts, and Islam has been hurt. The time that he did lose, he did get knocked out. So, it’s those punches that you don’t see coming that could change everything, and Kamaru Usman has the speed, has the power, and has the experience.
“But he’s going up against Islam Makhachev who is – f*ck, he’s good, man. He can kick, he can wrestle. That’s the biggest thing: It’s his defense. He’s always here (hands up), and he level changes, he kicks, goes up. Very, very good. You would probably (pick) Islam, but I would not count out ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ If anybody could get it done, it is Kamaru Usman.”
During his welterweight title reign, Usman defended his belt five times, behind only Georges St-Pierre for most title defenses in the division’s history.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Henry Cejudo explains why Kamaru Usman can threaten Islam Makhachev
