Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas returned to the win column at UFC Atlanta, while Michael Chiesa continues to fight for enjoyment rather than titles, and discussions arise about Islam Makhachev‘s reluctance to vacate his belt amidst the UFC’s evolving stance on double champions.
UFC Atlanta Recap
UFC Atlanta is wrapped up, and Kamaru Usman is back in the winner’s circle. This past Saturday, Usman delivered a vintage performance against Joaquin Buckley, securing a unanimous decision win. His victory reestablishes him in the welterweight title picture, reminding everyone why he’s among the best ever to step into the cage.
Rose Namajunas also returned to winning ways with a solid performance over Miranda Maverick. Let’s dive into all the action.
Kamaru Usman’s Legacy
How would prime Usman fare against today’s contenders? Kamaru Usman is arguably the second-greatest welterweight of all time, right after Matt Hughes. Even past his prime, Usman remains a formidable force against the current crop of contenders.
The Usman we saw on Saturday could still challenge fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sean Brady. Four years ago, he would’ve been a significant problem for them. Usman’s defensive grappling and striking fundamentals make him a tough opponent any day.
Prime Usman could even challenge the likes of Georges St-Pierre. The man is a legend for a reason.
Rose Namajunas’ Future at 125
Can Rose Namajunas become a champion at 125? It’s possible but not likely. She’s among the top flyweights, but physical limitations pose a challenge. Fighters like Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield have used size to their advantage against her.
However, if Zhang Weili moves up to challenge Valentina Shevchenko, there’s a chance for Namajunas. Having won their previous encounters, she’d have a shot in a third fight against Zhang.
Rodolfo Bellato‘s Controversial Upkick
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig ended in a no-contest after an illegal upkick led to a bizarre reaction from Bellato. Was it genuine or acting? Despite the odd scene, it’s likely an honest situation. Bellato had little to gain from flopping, and UFC refs rarely DQ fighters.
Bellato was probably winning the round. Why risk losing two paychecks or a bonus? Sometimes, weird stuff just happens in MMA.
Michael Chiesa’s Career Path
What’s Michael Chiesa doing with his career? Vibing, and it’s great. On Saturday, Chiesa won a decision over Court McGee, marking his third consecutive win. He’s open about fighting for the love of it, which is refreshing.
Chiesa may never fight for a belt, but he’s doing what he loves. Being among the best in the world at what you do is something to be celebrated. We should all be so lucky.
Islam Makhachev’s Title Dilemma
Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to relinquish his 155 lbs belt, and who would? There’s no benefit to dropping it. The UFC seems done with the champ-champ era, but it’s a questionable decision.
If Topuria or Makhachev loses, having a backup title could soften the blow. The UFC’s current approach risks creating paper champions. Codifying double-champ opportunities might be the solution.
Thanks for reading! Got questions about combat sports? Tweet me, @JedKMeshew. See y’all next week!