Former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Dustin Poirier shared their potential next opponents in a recent podcast interview. Poirier listed Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Colby Covington as possible opponents for his next fight, expressing confidence that his next opponent would come from this list. Anik dismissed Covington due to reliability concerns, leaving options such as a rematch with Holloway or Gaethje, a fourth fight with McGregor, a second bout with Oliveira, or potential matchups with Volkanovski, Covington, or Diaz.
Poirier’s potential fight with Diaz could be particularly exciting and fitting, possibly serving as a retirement fight given the history between the two fighters. Their previously scheduled bout in 2018 was canceled due to Poirier’s hip injury, making it a compelling matchup that fans would be eager to see. Due to Diaz’s drawing power and the anticipation surrounding this potential fight, it could be the most attractive option for Poirier as he looks ahead to his next bout.
On the other hand, Usman’s situation is different, with potential opponents including Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Machado Garry, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. Usman, who is not close to retirement and remains a top contender in the welterweight division, could be considering a move to middleweight following an impressive performance against Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023. If Usman stays at welterweight, a matchup with Muhammad could potentially be for the title, depending on the outcome of Muhammad’s fight against Leon Edwards on July 27.
Usman could also face Muhammad even if he loses, with Rakhmonov and Garry potentially heading towards a matchup of their own. This leaves Maddelena as the most likely opponent from the list provided, setting up a potentially exciting main-card fight for a future pay-per-view event. The outcome of these potential matchups could shape the future of the welterweight division and provide fans with compelling matchups to look forward to in the coming months.
The possibility of Poirier facing off against Diaz in a long-anticipated bout adds intrigue to the mix, with both fighters potentially viewing it as a fitting conclusion to their respective careers. Usman’s potential move to middleweight and matchups with rising contenders like Rakhmonov and Garry could also shake up the division and provide fresh challenges for the former welterweight champion. As the fighters deliberate on their next moves and potential opponents, fans eagerly await announcements of upcoming fights that could further solidify their legacies in the UFC.
