Usman and Rakhmonov Discuss a Possible UFC Fight
Kamaru Usman said he was open to facing Shavkat Rakhmonov, but no bout had been booked. The welterweight discussion followed Belal Muhammad’s title win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July 2024.
Usman’s position
Asked about his next fight, Usman said “anything can happen.” The former champion was willing to consider Rakhmonov, but the comments did not amount to negotiations or an official UFC announcement. The interview report describes his answer.
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Rakhmonov was unbeaten at 18-0 and had won all six of his UFC bouts. Muhammad was the new champion and had not yet made his first defense. No long-term absence or delay in the division had been confirmed at the time.
What happened later
The UFC did not book Usman against Rakhmonov in 2024. Rakhmonov was eventually scheduled to challenge Muhammad at UFC 310, but Muhammad withdrew with an infection. Usman later said he was available on short notice.
The timeline helps clarify why the proposed matchup never materialized in 2024. Usman expressed openness, but Muhammad held the title and Rakhmonov’s later challenge was disrupted when Muhammad withdrew. The article distinguishes those later events from the original comments, which described willingness rather than an agreed fight.
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Tags: MMA
