Daniel Cormier disagrees with the notion that Kamaru Usman would be an easy title defense for Islam Makhachev.
Welterweight contenders Ian Machado Garry and Belal Muhammad took umbrage with UFC champion Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) angling for Usman, deeming “The Nigerian Nightmare” as undeserving. While Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) is 1-3 in his past four outings, Cormier thinks the former UFC welterweight champion has the skill set to pose problems for Makhachev.
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“If you’re looking at resume and what Usman’s done in his career, he’s one of the greatest welterweights of all time,” Cormier told Red Corner MMA. “I think also for people that are trying to dismiss Kamaru – because people are trying to dismiss Kamaru as a threat, remember how he fought Khamzat (Chimaev). Khamzat has destroyed just about everybody.
“Kamaru Usman fought him tough and won the third round, and if it was a five-round fight, many felt Kamaru Usman had the opportunity to beat him. That was up a weight class. So, while people are trying to write Kamaru off, I wouldn’t be so quick to say that he is no challenge to Islam because of his wrestling pedigree, because of his championship pedigree. I agree with Islam. Kamaru Usman is a very difficult challenge for him.”
Also in the running to challenge Makhachev are Machado Garry, Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, all of whom are coming off big wins. However, Makhachev appeared interested in Usman the most for his first title defense after he dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to claim the belt.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst not writing off Kamaru Usman against Islam Makhachev
