In today’s daily news roundup, three significant developments in the UFC world are highlighted. First, Kamaru Usman has hinted at a return to the welterweight division following the announcement of the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad title fight. UFC President Dana White confirmed that Edwards would defend his welterweight title against Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304, scheduled to take place in Manchester, England.
This news has seemingly reignited Usman’s desire to return to the octagon. During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman expressed his excitement, stating,
“I’m excited. About time, about time. Now we have some sort of clarity in that welterweight division and I think it can move again. And the king may return, you know.”
Usman’s comments suggest he is motivated by the upcoming fight and is considering a comeback to reclaim his position in the division.
Second, undefeated middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov has called out Michel Pereira, criticizing him for his recent charity efforts. Pereira, who has been aiding flood victims in Brazil and was filmed rescuing a stranded dog, drew Magomedov’s ire for displaying the Israeli flag during a UFC event.
Magomedov, a Russian-born Muslim, accused Pereira of hypocrisy, arguing that Pereira’s support for Israel was inappropriate amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Magomedov took to Instagram to voice his disdain, writing in a translated post,
“While this hypocrite is saving dogs in Brazil from a flood a thousand children are lying under bombs at the hands of child killers, and at the time he came out with the flag of this country and shouted to the whole world and supported them. Sooner or later I will get to him InshAllah, and then this merry fellow will not have so much fun.”
Finally, Curtis Blaydes believes that his upcoming fight against Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 will be for the official heavyweight title. Blaydes is skeptical about Jon Jones defending his title again after his planned fight with Stipe Miocic. Jones has been recovering from a torn pectoral injury that prevented him from competing at UFC 295.
Despite Tom Aspinall holding the interim heavyweight title, Jones has indicated his intention to only fight Miocic next. With their bout confirmed as the co-main event at UFC 304, Blaydes shared his perspective in an interview with MMA Junkie.
He stated, “If I win or if Aspinall wins, I don’t think Jon’s going to fight anyone outside of Stipe…That’s how I’m viewing it [as an undisputed title fight]. They [fans] probably don’t understand the concept of interim vs. undisputed, and they don’t care. All they see is a shiny belt and you holding it in a UFC octagon. That’s all they need. So, to me, it is the real belt.”
Blaydes’ comments reflect his belief that the fight with Aspinall will effectively determine the true heavyweight champion, regardless of Jones’ future actions.
