UFC legend wants Usman to call out ‘alpha male’ Rakhmonov

Kamaru Usman’s title dreams are still alive in 2025. The former UFC Welterweight Champion had a long road to get back into the win column. After nearly four years and a three-fight losing skid to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev, Usman returned in the main event of UFC Atlanta where he notched a dominant decision win over Joaquin Buckley.
 
His No. 5 ranking intact, Usman has set his sights on a title fight next.
 
However, Usman could be away from a title opportunity as champion Jack Della Maddalena will more than likely defend his title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, later this year.
 
In the meantime, UFC legend Chael Sonnen thinks Usman should fight ‘alpha male’ Shavkat Rakhmonov in the title eliminator.
 
Rakhmonov is the #3-ranked UFC Welterweight contender and holds a perfect 19-0 record. He won a title eliminator bout against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 after then-champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from a title defense.  
 
Unfortunately for Rakhmonov, injuries got in the way of a title fight, leaving him on the sidelines ever since.
 
Three-time UFC title challenger and analyst Sonnen thinks the 38-year-old Usman should make a play for the undefeated contender.
 
“If you’re trying to get right to the title… I think one strategy because I do believe Shavkat to be the true number one contender,” Sonnen said on Good Guy/Bad Guy.
 
“I do believe when Shavkat comes back, he’s probably gonna walk right into a title fight. I do believe between Islam (Makhachev) and Jack (Della Maddalena), I think Shavkat is the alpha male in that room.
 
“I just think he’s the right size, and I think he matches up well. I offer you that because I think that Kamaru could come out publicly and start going after Shavkat, saying let me fight him. Let me fight him for a number one contenders, and if he wins, I think he would be granted (a title shot).”

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