"Did they switch it to Usman vs. Buckley" - Fans react as rumors of Kamaru Usman vs. Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 312 are quashed 

Rumors suggesting that Jack Della Maddalena versus Kamaru Usman was in the works for UFC 312 have now been dismissed.

Talk began to spread when Della Maddalena reshared a post suggesting he would face Usman at UFC 312. However, MMA Mania reporter Alex Behunin recently took to X to clarify that the fight is not being made and hinted that Della Maddalena might not be on the card at all:

“JDM vs. Usman is not happening at UFC 312 and unfortunately there’s a good chance JDM will not be on that PPV at all.”

This post sparked reactions from several UFC fans, who quickly rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.

One fan speculated whether the promotion had switched to Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley, writing:

“Did they switch it to Usman vs Buckley? That’s a better fight anyways.”

Another user suggested a potential opponent for the Australian, commenting:

“Good, we want Buck vs Usman anyway. Book JDM vs [Carlos] Prates or something—he’s been out a while if you're looking at him as a contender.”

One commented:

“Do it at 313 in Vegas then.”

Another fan wrote:

“Usman needs to be dropped in the rankings.”

Check out more fan reactions below:

Fan reactions screenshots

Della Maddalena last fought at UFC 299 against Gilbert Burns, securing a knockout victory. Meanwhile, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' is on a three-fight losing streak, with his last appearance in the octagon being against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.

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Kamaru Usman plans to take on top welterweight contenders once he feels healthy

Joaquin Buckley called out Kamaru Usman following his win over Colby Covington at UFC Tampa.

In the latest episode of Pound 4 Pound, the former welterweight champion asserted that, once he feels healthy, he can take on any welterweight contender, whether it's Buckley, Ian Machado Garry, or Shavkat Rakhmonov.

He said:

"Buckley, Garry, 'JDM', Shavkat, it doesn't matter...It seems like every week we get on here and I have to do this, no one's listening. When I'm healthy, I'll whoop everyone of y'all, doesn't matter who it is. I've gone through this division and then I started going through the division again, so it doesn't matter."

Check out Kamaru Usman’s comments below (7:01):