UFC's Kamaru Usman Wants to Fight Canelo Alvarez: 'Everyone's Going to Be Watching'

Kamaru Usman might have a welterweight title defense against Leon Edwards on tap at UFC 278 on Aug. 20, but he's already looking ahead to a fresh challenge.

Usman told TMZ Sports in an interview published on Tuesday he wants a date with boxing star Canelo Alvarez at some point.

"It's never been done, pound-for-pound versus pound-for-pound," he said. "And, they're significantly close in weight classes to be able to do it — why not?! ... When you hear that that fight's announced, everyone's going to be watching that fight."

Usman first told TMZ Sports in March he was hopeful of fighting Alvarez in the fall. He thought the event could net revenues of nine figures.

In April, Usman and Alvarez exchanged words on social media:

Usman's dreams of a major crossover showcase will have to remain on hold for the time being, though.

Alvarez lost a unanimous decision to Dmitry Bivol in May before lining up a third encounter with Gennadiy Golovkin on Sept. 17, meaning his calendar for the rest of 2022 is full.

But you can't fault the UFC star for trying.

The 35-year-old hasn't lost inside the cage since May 2013 and has made five successful defenses of his welterweight title. He doesn't have a lot to prove within MMA anymore, so boxing Alvarez would present a significantly different challenge.

Considering Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor drew $600 million for their 2017 pay-per-view, opposing Alvarez would probably net Usman the biggest payday of his career, too.