Kamaru Usman expressed disinterest in a potential fight against Carlos Prates unless it's for the UFC welterweight title. During a recent discussion, Henry Cejudo suggested Usman return to 170 pounds to face Prates, the No. 1 contender. Usman, however, indicated his reluctance, stating he only sees value in such a matchup if a championship is at stake. His recent loss at middleweight has him focused on regaining title opportunities rather than engaging in risky fights without significant rewards. Usman has made it clear that he will only consider returning to 170 for a championship bout.

By the Numbers
  • Carlos Prates is 7-1 in the UFC, with notable TKO wins over former champions.
  • Usman has successfully defended the welterweight title against fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.
State of Play
  • Usman is weighing his next steps after a loss to Dricus Du Plessis in the middleweight division.
  • Prates is gaining attention as a top contender in the welterweight division.
What's Next

Usman may shift his focus towards a title fight, with a potential matchup against reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev on his radar, though UFC officials have ruled out this specific bout.

Bottom Line

Kamaru Usman remains firmly committed to returning to the welterweight division only for championship opportunities, prioritizing his path back to title contention over other competitive bouts.