It’s officially Kamaru Fight Week — and the former welterweight king Kamaru Usman is back in the headlines, stirring excitement and speculation from all angles. From rumors about a clash with Joaquin Buckley, bold talk about fighting Islam Makhachev, and the looming question about a return to title contention at 170, Usman is once again the center of the MMA world.

Let’s break down all the heat heading into this high-stakes week.

 Joaquin Buckley Calls Out the King

Surging UFC welterweight Joaquin “New Mansa” Buckley has been making waves both inside and outside the Octagon — and now he’s gunning for the biggest name in the division: Kamaru Usman.

Buckley recently called out Usman in an interview, claiming he’s “ready to retire legends” and wants to “skip the line” by taking out the former champ.

“He’s still living off his old belt,” Buckley said. “Let me be the guy to send him out for good.”

Usman, never one to back down from a challenge, responded subtly but confidently:

“I don’t chase clout. But if they want it, I’m always ready.”

While no fight is official, UFC fans are buzzing about a potential showdown between Buckley’s power and aggression versus Usman’s experience and fight IQ.

 Usman on Fighting Islam Makhachev?

In a recent podcast appearance, Kamaru Usman stunned listeners when asked if he would ever fight Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s lightweight champion and pound-for-pound elite.

“If the money’s right and the moment makes sense, why not?” Usman said. “Islam’s great, but I’ve seen holes.”

It’s a bold claim — and one that has reignited fantasy matchup discussions between elite grapplers. Usman, a former NCAA wrestler with world-class cardio and control, versus Makhachev, the heir to Khabib’s sambo throne, would be a clash of styles and legacies.

While weight classes and politics make the fight unlikely in the short term, the fact that Usman is open to super fights shows he’s still hungry — not just for wins, but for greatness.

 Welterweight Gold: One Last Run?

After back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards and a short-notice move to middleweight against Khamzat Chimaev, many wondered if Usman’s time at the top was over. But Fight Week interviews are painting a different picture.

Usman has been training full-time, injury-free, and mentally locked in, hinting at a final run toward reclaiming the welterweight throne.

“I know what I’m capable of. I don’t need a rebuild — I need a rematch.”

With Leon Edwards still reigning, contenders like Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov rising fast, and Khamzat possibly returning to 170, the path is crowded — but Usman still believes he’s the best in the world.

 Final Thoughts

Kamaru Usman isn’t done — far from it. Whether it’s fighting the young lions like Buckley, dreaming of superfights with Islam Makhachev, or storming back to take what was once his, Fight Week reminds us of one thing: Legends don’t fade quietly.

This is Kamaru’s week. And he’s just getting started.