REPORT | Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is likely next for Kamaru Usman

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will likely be the next man to square off with surging welterweight contender Kamaru Usman.

BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor reported that news earlier today.

I’m told that the UFC is currently working on booking a welterweight fight between recent interim title challenger Rafael dos Anjos and surging division contender Kamaru Usman for early this fall. What do you folks think of the matchup?

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) June 23, 2018

“I’m told that the UFC is currently working on booking a welterweight fight between recent interim title challenger Rafael dos Anjos and surging division contender Kamaru Usman for early this fall. What do you folks think of the matchup?” – Chris Taylor

Rafael dos Anjos was most recently seen in action earlier this month at UFC 225 in Chicago, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Colby Covington in his bid for the promotions interim welterweight championship.

Prior to the setback, the former UFC lightweight world champion had reeled off three consecutive victories at 170-pounds including wins over former champion Robbie Lawler and division staples Neil Magny and Tarec Saffiedine.

Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman improved his overall record to 13-1 at last month’s UFC event in Chile by defeating former division title challenger Demian Maia via unanimous decision.

Since joining the UFC ranks in July of 2015, the “Nigerian Nightmare” has gone a perfect 8-0 scoring two finishes and six decision wins in that time.

If the UFC does in fact book a fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Kamaru Usman next, then it will be very interesting to see what direction the promotion decides to go with #2 ranked welterweight Darren Till.

Interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is clearly next for long time title holder Tyron Woodley, which leaves Darren Till on the outside looking in and currently without a future opponent.

What do you think of the proposed welterweight matchup between Kamaru Usman and Rafael dos Anjos? Sound off PENN Nation!