Kamaru Usman ended a nearly four-year victory drought this past Saturday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, reestablishing his presence in the UFC welterweight title contention. Usman dominated Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta, securing a decisive win that places him back into the conversation for the 170-pound championship.
Following the fight, Usman expressed a desire for a title shot, showing little interest in facing contender Belal Muhammad. Meanwhile, other fighters in the division have taken notice of Usman’s return and have positioned themselves for potential matchups with the former champion.
Sean Brady challenges Kamaru Usman after climb to No. 2 in welterweight rankings
Sean Brady, currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC welterweight division, recently addressed Usman’s comeback on his podcast alongside teammate Joe Pyfer. With a title eliminator bout still uncertain against Ian Machado Garry, Brady openly called for a fight with Usman, viewing it as a more definitive path toward the championship.
Brady stated,
“I was number one, now I’m number two, I’ll fight Usman. He’s a former champion. I think me and him — I would rather do that (than fight Machado Garry). Now it makes sense. I’m here for it. … Let’s not wait around. Let’s see who the number one contender is!”
—Sean Brady, UFC Welterweight Contender
He also expressed frustration about the title shot progression, noting,
“None of us are getting the title shot. … They’re saying Shavkat’s (Rakhmonov) next, then there’s Ian, then there’s Usman.”
Brady reflected on his own recent victories, adding,
“Usman just beat Buckley, who was seven. I f—— got there (by) beating Leon Edwards, who was number one at the time.”
—Sean Brady, UFC Welterweight Contender
Daniel Cormier advises Usman to avoid Sean Brady’s grappling threat
Just days after Brady’s challenge, former champion Daniel Cormier weighed in, recommending that Usman steer clear of facing Brady due to his grappling skills and youthful energy. Brady, 32, has won three fights in a row since his only defeat, including a notable submission over Leon Edwards in London, as well as victories over Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns.
Cormier shared his assessment on his Good Guy/Bad Guy show, stating,
“You don’t want Sean Brady. Sean Brady is crazy, and he is young, It would be like fighting Joaquin Buckley again.”
—Daniel Cormier, Former UFC Champion
Cormier suggested Usman should carefully consider his next opponent, looking to avoid potential stylistic mismatches in a crowded welterweight field.
Welterweight division faces uncertain title picture amid rising contenders
With the welterweight title scene becoming increasingly complex, UFC matchmakers have a challenging task ahead. Brady’s hunger for a title shot and Cormier’s warnings emphasize how competitive the 170-pound division remains. This period follows the recent arrival of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, delaying immediate need for welterweight title contention clarity.
As Usman signals his readiness for a tough contest, the outcome of potential fights with top contenders like Brady, Ian Machado Garry, or Belal Muhammad will shape the future championship landscape at welterweight.