So I guess the original plan for Chim was to fight Costa then fight somebody in 185's top 5 then a title fight.
Haven't they announced that the winner of Chimaev Vs Usman will get a shot against Strickland? I've heard that somewhere but don't know if it was only a rumour or confirmed information.
I guess UFC are too cautious to make such announcements. What if theoretically, one of them misses weight and match makers would have to urgently make card correction? It would be unfair for a fighter that fights in a catchweight to have his next fight as a title. We also dont know UFC plans on Izzy. What if they plan to return him the belt but to make it not as a rematch (as he recently got an immediate title fight rematch against Pereira), but after a win over Chimaev/Usman winner.
I agree with you because every fighter will definitely go through things that make it difficult for them even their weight often experiences more significant losses. Moreover there will be fight for the title that Adesanya will fight against Strickland because this fight will make more money.
Adesanya also expressed several opinions that he would fight again and defeat Strickland to take the belt he took from him.
I sure Dana White would definitely prefer Adesanya over taking either of the winners of the Chimaev vs Usman fight.
Talking about the Chimaev vs Usman fight it seems that Usman is the favorite and he is also the fighter with the best takedown defense in the UFC.
And what more Usman had an undefeated record in 15 fights making Chimaev face the toughest fight while he was with the UFC.