Ali Abdelaziz Floats the Idea of Kamaru Usman vs. Conor McGregor

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz - has hinted that former two-weight champion, 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor, may be next in line to challenge his client, Kamaru 'The Nigerian Nightmare' Usman - if consensus contender, Jorge Masvidal elects to re-run his BMF pairing with Nate Diaz.

A matchup between 170-pound gold-holder, Usman, and McGregor has rumbled in the background for some time now, but in terms of a welcoming party upon his return - the realistic possibility of McGregor facing the Florida based wrestler seemed quite slim. In fact, all roads led to a matchup between Usman and Masvidal this summer - with the promotion tentatively targeting a pairing between the two developing foes.

According to Abdelaziz, however, Masvidal seems to have switched his attention to a rematch with Diaz, and if that's the case - Usman will warrant McGregor a title shot, "without takedowns only slaps" for the first two frames.

"It looks like #1 contender (Jorge Masvidal) want to fight Nate Diaz now. Good for him @TheNotoriousMMA hey you want a title shot? Come to daddy @Usman84kg will give you one and he promise (sic) first 2 rounds without takedowns only slaps. 😂"

It looks like #1 contender wants to fight Nate Diaz now . Good for him @TheNotoriousMMA hey you want a title shot ? Come to daddy @USMAN84kg will give you one and he promise first 2 rounds without takedowns only slaps 😂

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) May 24, 2020

Speaking with ESPN reporter, Brett Okamoto - Abelaziz reiterated those above claims, explaining how he would ask the UFC to offer McGregor the opportunity to meet with Usman for the welterweight title, instead of Masvidal.

Masvidal and Diaz - the latter a former two-time foe of McGregor, originally met in the headliner of UFC 244 in November of last year, with BMF champion status up for grabs. The bout was ultimately called off before the beginning of the fourth round after a cage-side physician inspected a nasty laceration to the right eye of Diaz.

McGregor on the other hand, last featured at UFC 246 in January - snapping a fifteen-month hiatus in a welterweight division return, against Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone. In a blistering performance, the Dubliner scored a knockout triumph after just forty-seconds of the opening frame. UFC president, Dana White revealed recently that 'The Notorious' one was questioning when he could possibly compete on 'Fight Island' - before the 31-year-old seemingly earmarked a return in July coming.

Usman, who's manager Abdelaziz - also holds reigns for lightweight best, Khabib Nurmagomedov, secured the premier defence of his welterweight throne at UFC 245 in December. After a hugely close back-and-forth, Usman managed to find a final round knockout against Colby Covington.