Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has advised rising middleweight contender Sharaputdin Magomedov to “take it easy” following Magomedov’s bold call-out of former champion Israel Adesanya. Magomedov, who extended his undefeated record to 15-0 with a second-round TKO of Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308, claimed to be “the best striker” in the division and challenged Adesanya directly.

On his ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast with fellow UFC veteran Henry Cejudo, Usman acknowledged Magomedov’s impressive finish but noted the fighter’s struggles in earlier rounds. “He’s got great footwork and a unique style, but calling out Israel is a big leap,” Usman commented.

Cejudo echoed the caution, predicting Adesanya’s refined striking would be a tough match for the unranked Magomedov, who is pursuing the fight due to a shared history from their kickboxing days in China. Meanwhile, Adesanya, watching the call-out live, humorously responded with, “Keep my name out of your f**king mouth.”

While Magomedov earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his win, analysts suggest he may need to prove himself further, possibly against ranked opponents like Michel Pereira or Kevin Holland, before stepping into the octagon with Adesanya.