Kamaru Usman is almost 40 years old, and despite winning exactly one fight since 2022, his name is suddenly popping up in serious title contention talk. That lone victory wasn't even in the middleweight division where he's competing, and he's currently sitting at a rough 0-1 record as a middleweight in the UFC. Yeah, you read that right.
Usman's "Path" to a Title Fight Is a Head-Scratcher
It's genuinely wild to see Usman's name in the title mix, even with his upcoming UFC Fight Night headliner this Saturday against Dricus du Plessis. Sure, if he were to beat du Plessis, a former UFC middleweight champ, that would definitely beef up his resume a bit. But seriously, are we really going to tell Nassourdine Imavov, "the raven man himself," that all his hard work at 185 pounds means less than Usman's single win in the division? That's what I call "Balderdash and poppycock!"
Look, beating DDP would be a big deal, no doubt. But for a title shot? Usman should absolutely have to get at least one more solid win at middleweight before he even sniffs a championship fight. Honestly, I'd need to see something truly special from him this Saturday to even start believing he could actually win that belt. Anything less, and the title talk is just that: talk.
The Absolute Disaster of McGregor's Return
Switching gears, can we talk about Conor McGregor's latest UFC return? Was anyone really entertained? Because I sure wasn't. @Mike_Fierce_ said McGregor was instrumental in pushing modern MMA onto platforms like Fox, ESPN, and Paramount, proving the pre-fight "show" is bigger than the actual fight. He asked, "Are we not entertained?" And for me, the answer is a resounding "no."
It felt like watching months of trailers for a blockbuster movie, only to show up on opening night and have the projector break while the theater caught fire. Memorable? Absolutely. What I was promised? Definitely not. The appeal of McGregor these days seems to be based on the guy he used to be, but it's crystal clear he's not that guy anymore, and probably never will be again. How long can anyone coast on those fumes, especially after the absolute disaster we saw last Saturday?
RJ Clifford's breakdown of McGregor's injury made a lot of sense, pointing out how Max Holloway subtly stepped back from McGregor's jumping kick, forcing him to overextend mid-air. That likely caused McGregor's other foot to land too far in front of his body, putting massive pressure on his knee. Good analysis, that may have been exactly what happened. But you also gotta wonder if those years off and "late nights in the club" exactly helped his aging body bounce back.
So, this Saturday, all eyes are on Kamaru Usman to see if he can pull off something truly special. For McGregor, the question isn't if he'll get another shot, but if he's truly got anything left to offer beyond the hype.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.