Kamaru Usman hints at welterweight return after Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad title fight announcement

Kamaru Usman is seemingly contemplating a return to welterweight following the announcement of the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad title fight for UFC 304. The upcoming welterweight title clash will headline the pay-per-view slated for Manchester, England, in late July.

Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Edwards vs. Muhammad will headline the event. A heavyweight clash between interim champion Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes will serve as the co-main event.

During a recent episode of Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry, Usman teased a potential return to the 170-pound division where he was once the undisputed champion:

"I'm excited. About time, about time. Now we have some sort of clarity in that welterweight division and I think it can move again. And the king may return, you know."

Catch Kamaru Usman's comments below (8:24):

Usman (20-4) is a former UFC pound-for-pound king and held welterweight gold from 2019 to 2022. He lost his title to Edwards at UFC 278 as he succumbed to a last-minute highlight reel head kick KO.

Since dropping his title, the 37-year-old has failed to get back in the win column. After coming up short in his trilogy bout against Edwards at UFC 286 via decision, Usman then lost to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.

Edwards (22-3 and one no-contest) is currently on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, with wins against the likes of Colby Covington, Nate Diaz, and Donald Cerrone, among others.

Muhammad (23-3 and one no-contest) also is flying high in his career. 'Remember the Name' has been unbeaten in his last 10 outings and boasts notable wins against Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque, among others.

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Kamaru Usman predicts Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2

During the same podcast, Kamaru Usman claimed that Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad would have to make adjustments to outperform their opponents at UFC 304.

Usman believes that the pair's original meeting at UFC Fight Night 187, which ended in a no-contest owing to an accidental eye poke from Edwards, didn't play out long enough to make an informed decision about who'd be the favorite this time around.

Watch Edwards vs. Muhammad 1 highlights below:

'The Nigerian Nightmare', however, claimed that while Edwards' momentum and performances shift wildly throughout his fights, 'Remember the Name' is a master at maintaining a steady pace throughout, which could favor the latter.

However, the former pound-for-pound king ultimately picked his former nemesis as the favorite:

"I think this is a very intriguing fight, but Leon just being the champion, and being confident in being the champion. I think he's gonna be sharp... If [Leon] trains properly, I think he will be victorious."