Kamaru Usman targeting title fight against Michael Chiesa at UFC 263 according to manager
The reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman apparently wants to get back into the Octagon sooner than later. After his second-round TKO victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, it appears that the champion wants to get back into action, and he’s not waiting for Colby Covington, Nate Diaz, or Leon Edwards according to his manager.
Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz did an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and revealed that during a conversation with Usman, he revealed a different opponent he’d like to face, and when he would like to step back inside the Octagon.
According to his manager, Usman would like to face Michael Chiesa at UFC 263 in June which would be just two months after defending his title for the fourth consecutive time.
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“Kamaru called me yesterday, he said June 12, let’s throw Michael Chiesa a bone. He asked me who have the longest winning streak in the division, top-5 or 6. I said, Chiesa. June 12. [He] Doesn’t have a fight. It doesn’t really matter who. I said Michael Chiesa. He said let’s throw Michael Chiesa a bone, ask the UFC if I can fight on June 12. I told the UFC, listen to me, Kamaru can fight three more times this year.”
Following Usman’s victory over Masvidal at UFC 261, UFC President Dana White said that the fight to make was Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington, a rematch from their title fight at UFC 245 which saw Usman pick up a fifth-round TKO victory. If there are any issues in looking to make the rematch happen, the UFC could move to Chiesa who is currently riding a four-fight winning streak.
During his streak, Chiesa has secured victories over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, Rafael dos Anjos, and Neil Magny all of which have come after he made the move up from lightweight to welterweight.
UFC 263 is already scheduled to feature two title fights when middleweight champion Israel Adesanya defends his belt against Marvin Vettori, and flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will rematch Brandon Moreno with the title on the line.
