LAS VEGAS -- When asked about Jorge Masvidal over the past few months, Kamaru Usman is prone to smiling and making a joke. Or laughing and saying "Who?"
Not so much anymore.
Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, told ESPN on Saturday that Masvidal is definitely the opponent he'd like next. It's just a matter of coming to terms with the UFC on a contract for the fight.
"I want to," Usman said at a media day for his Dominance MMA management firm at Park MGM. "I absolutely want to. Nothing is official. We've still gotta work through contractual things. But definitely. I want to. If the people want it, I always want to give the people what they want. They wanted [me to fight] Colby [Covington] and I gave them Colby."
UFC president Dana White said last month that Usman vs. Masvidal is the fight the promotion is targeting for its annual blockbuster International Fight Week card July 11 in Las Vegas. The bout is still not official, though. Usman said he has still not been extended a formal offer for it.
There's also a part of Usman that wants to see how a fight between top contenders Leon Edwards and Tyron Woodley plays out March 21 at UFC London. Edwards has won eight straight, and his last loss came in 2015 -- to Usman. Woodley is the former welterweight champ whom Usman beat for the belt at UFC 235 on March 2, 2019. Woodley held the title for three years.
Masvidal is the most popular name out of those three, though, and Usman understands that a fight with him might be what is best for his bank account.
"If they did [offer], of course we'd sign that," Usman said. "That's the fight that they want. Certain things have to work out contractually, but we want that fight. But I also believe in what's fair. And when a guy like Leon Edwards has been working his ass off to get here, it's only fair that that guy deserves a shot. If Woodley goes out there and knocks out Leon Edwards in impressive fashion, how do you deny him a rematch? I want what's fair, but at the same time I'm trying to get this money, too."
Usman (16-1) is coming off a fifth-round TKO win over Colby Covington at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, 2019. The Nigeria native who lives and trains in Florida has never lost in the UFC -- a streak of 11 straight victories. Usman, 32, has not lost a fight since 2013.
Although Masvidal is the foe he wants next, Usman still questions the credentials of the man who beat Nate Diaz last year for the BMF title.
"Of course I want to fight Masvidal," Usman said. "There's a lot of hype on him. I want to get paid, too. ... How is he the No. 1 contender? Because of hype? Exactly. You can't tell me he's beaten the top guys in the top five to prove he's the No. 1 contender."