The welterweight division will take center stage atop each of the next two UFC pay-per-view events.
UFC 278 takes place this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, where 170-pound kingpin Kamaru Usman returns to try and earn a sixth consecutive title defense as well as a second victory over Leon “Rocky” Edwards. A win for the “Nigerian Nightmare” would also tie him with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in promotional history at 16.
Usman’s reign of terror over the weight class began in March 2019, capturing the title against Tyron Woodley. At this stage, the 35-year-old is “lapping the competition,” as he says, with Edwards marking the third rematch of his title reign. As a result, Usman is now teasing the thought of jumping all the way up to 205-pounds at light heavyweight in pursuit of a uniquely unheard-of double champ status.
Despite the fact that he’s had as many rematches as he’ll have had post-UFC 278, new contenders are emerging and the current name leading the charge is the undefeated smashing machine, Khamzat Chimaev. At No. 3 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, Chimaev faces Nate Diaz next month in UFC 279’s main event where a title shot should surely await him after a win. However, “Borz” isn’t so certain.
“We will see,” Chimaev told TheMacLife. “If Kamaru wins the fight, I think he gonna take long time to come back and maybe gonna retire. I think the guy’s scared of me. He always talk about maybe I finish, maybe I finish. I hope he gonna win the fight and I fight with him. But if he stays long time away, Jorge [Masvidal] starts to talk too much, I might have to smash his face as well.”
Like Usman, Chimaev also isn’t opposed to jumping around in weight. The only difference is that the Sweden resident has already done it in his short five-fight UFC career.
Chimaev started his career in the UFC as a middleweight, absolutely pummeling his way to a dominant second-round d’arce choke before essentially replicating this perfect performance in his following three bouts at both welterweight and middleweight.
Although he’s never fought Edwards, Chimaev found himself matched with the perennial top contender on multiple occasions in 2021, only for things to fall through each time. When assessing this weekend’s bout, Chimaev gives Usman the 60/40 edge and if he does have to wait around a bit after a presumed Usman win — plus his own over Diaz — he’s open to staying active back at 185-pounds.
“Yeah, from that time to when they meet the last time, they’re both completely different,” Chimaev said. “Kamaru’s getting much better boxing and Leon’s getting better wrestling. It’s interesting fight for me as well to watch that fight.
“I actually told my manager, let me fight at 84 [kilograms] as well, but he said let’s wait and focus on 170, take the belt then go up. We will see. I’m ready for everyone. When I said I can fight with Brock Lesnar, it’s real, I can fight with him. If they give me $1 million, no problem. Let’s fight who they want. Kamaru Usman, doesn’t matter.”
TOP STORIES
Results. DWCS Season 6: Week 4: Esteban Ribovics caps off 5-contract night with faceplant KO
Regret. Dana White: ‘Big mistakes were made’ not re-signing Shane Burgos to UFC
Asterisks. Jose Aldo: T.J. Dillashaw’s feats in question after EPO suspension
Story. Demetrious Johnson recounts time Dana White called him a ‘dumbass’ and UFC threatened to close flyweight division
Crossover. Michael ‘Venom’ Page praises Bellator for allowing him to compete in bare-knuckle fight in BKFC
Aftermath. Nate Landwehr recounts hospital run-in with David Onama hours after insane FOTY win
Intrigue. Jorge Masvidal still welcomes Leon Edwards fight but doesn’t see him beating Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
VIDEO STEW
Embedded 2.
Usman’s secret.
DC details Moreno.
Fancy UFC 278 breakdown.
Cringing with Triple C.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Leon Edwards and Paige VanZant.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what happens if Leon Edwards upsets Kamaru Usman at UFC 278.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Indeed.
Hollywood.
UFC 278… HOLLYWOOD USMAN IS ON THE WAY!! pic.twitter.com/0gdUYqrJmT
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 16, 2022
Tyron the actor?
Tyron Woodley guest starring in the new season of #CobraKai — looks like he’ll be playing one of the trainers in the show from the new trailer pic.twitter.com/zsZGfcqluf
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 16, 2022
Champ time.
Who’s back from holiday… @jiri_bjp pic.twitter.com/awsy4vBzGa
— Martin Karaivanov (@MartinJetsaam) August 16, 2022
Hangman.
“That’s the sign of a good man, if you can talk shit when it’s even score or talk shit when you’re behind score. When you’re ahead it’s easy to talk.” – MJ pic.twitter.com/XR4PLccyAx
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) August 16, 2022
Oh, boy
My father released me from that verbal contract when he heard you tap from heaven. https://t.co/5cqlZyRbqN
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) August 16, 2022
For Sale
Tito Ortiz’s Integrity
Starting Bid: $1
NO RESERVE AUCTION
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) August 16, 2022
Poor Mike.
Old Vaseline eye https://t.co/O6Id5SENW8
— michael (@bisping) August 16, 2022
Colby plus Weezy.
Sky is the limit @LilTunechi pic.twitter.com/yjuYOaEX1g
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 16, 2022
Very generous.
I’m really non violent I just want to improve your sleep quality pic.twitter.com/gM8KVPle6N
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) August 16, 2022
Top Gun 3?
Sadly my “never been KO’d” streak came to an end.
I was blessed with the opportunity to fly with Blue Angels. Shoutout to number 7 pilot Griffin Stangel and everyone behind the scenes for the unreal experience. This once in a lifetime time ride I will never forget. Thank you pic.twitter.com/ptDEaztvEf
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 16, 2022
Thank you, sir.
Drake is the
— Fabio Cherant (@Buffalomma8) August 16, 2022
A real fruit ninja.
Wonderboy absolutely deleted that watermelon. pic.twitter.com/2GGnGxhTLz
— Karate Combat (@KarateCombat) August 16, 2022
Pissed VanZant.
THIS IS OUT OF MY CONTROL!!! I WENT AN ENTITE CAMP AND WEIGHT CUT TO BE PULLED A WEEK OUT!!!! pic.twitter.com/CFkDHp5K0y
— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) August 16, 2022
Alright, Paulo.
I’m going to say As fighter I’m The best looking man ever and Saturday I will beat the second or 3* places cause I want the hole podium! pic.twitter.com/3OgI8wNJXT
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) August 16, 2022
Sudsy.
His greatest rival is a bar of soap ! @jakepaul https://t.co/AzRfXsjReg
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 17, 2022
Swing and a miss.
Jake Paul is going to need a tee @Starting9 pic.twitter.com/4jY4CTPrWa
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 16, 2022
Crowd-pleasing KOs.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED #DWCS pic.twitter.com/O1ieN7BIZV
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Same Dana, same #DWCS pic.twitter.com/N201x4RtnH
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
Esteban Ribovics keeps his 100% finish rate#DWCS
pic.twitter.com/1yvyaSRBSt— MMA mania (@mmamania) August 17, 2022
They were loving that Esteban Ribovics KO down in Argentina #DWCS pic.twitter.com/GOLVxWY2ZC
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2022
GSP deep squattin’.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Andre Fili (21-9, 1 NC) vs. Bill Algeo (16-6); UFC Vegas 60, Sept. 17
Fares Ziam (12-4) vs. Michal Figlak (8-0); UFC Paris, Sept. 3
Karol Rosa (15-4) vs. Lina Lansberg (10-6); UFC 280, Oct. 22
Mike Trizano (10-3) vs. Seung Woo Choi (10-5); UFC 281, Nov. 12
Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6) vs. Robbie Lawler (29-16, 1 NC); UFC 282, Dec. 10
FINAL THOUGHTS
I can’t find the logic in Tito wanting a Chael rematch but boy did it brings some quick hilarity.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
