“I made it clear what I want is that title back. That’s where I rightfully belong,” Usman told MMA Fighting. “I think [with me and Islam] it’s obviously both former pound-for-pound [No. 1 ranked fighters], I don’t think in history it’s ever happened where they go at it. So I think that’s a humongous fight. I love Islam. This isn’t one of those situations where we’re coming in and I hate your uncles or I hate you. It’s pure competition of the best of the best. I think it’s the biggest for sure. You want one of those fights. You want one of those fights that really elevates the division. That really puts the division on the forefront when everyone knows there’s a welterweight matchup coming up, everyone pays attention. I think this is that fight, myself and Islam.”
“Don’t get me wrong, myself and JDM as well, that’s a big fight for the new guard going up against the old guard,” Usman said. “I think that’s a big fight as well. But I just think that we’ve never seen two pound-for-pound fighters going in there and duke it out, I think that right there’s a blockbuster, and I think it’s definitely close to the top. I’m not sitting here [saying] I just want Islam. No, I want the title and right now the two guys that happen to be fighting for that title are Islam and Jack. Whoever that person is, is the fight that I want. Obviously if it’s Jack, the old guard versus the new guard, it’s also still a contrast in styles. Yes, I want that fight, but if it’s Islam, that sells itself. Take my money now.”
The winner of this fight may have something to say about that.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 322 fight card on fight night, starting with the early ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the UFC 322 featured “Prelims” at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNews and ESPN+, leading into the UFC 322 main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
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