Kamaru Usman has massive plans for 2026. The previous UFC welterweight champion hopes to not solely regain the title he misplaced in 2022, but in addition dethrone middleweight kingpin Khamzat Chimaev to change into the UFC’s two-division champion.
Usman received the 170-pound strap in 2019 and held it till August 2022.
He made 5 defenses in complete, dropping to Leon Edwards in a rematch at UFC 278.
At UFC 286 in 2023, “The Nigerian Nightmare” had a 3rd likelihood to upset Edwards, however he didn’t regain the title and misplaced by majority resolution.
Later that yr, he moved as much as middleweight to struggle Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ discover, however once more suffered a majority resolution defeat.
Two years later, in 2025, Kamaru Usman returned to the Octagon at UFC Atlanta and placed on a dominant efficiency in opposition to Joaquin Buckley, redeeming himself with a unanimous resolution victory.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” is hoping to face present UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev subsequent, with Makhachev additionally expressing curiosity in a struggle with the previous.
Kamaru Usman plans to change into UFC two-division champion in 2026
In a current interview with UFC and Eurosport, Kamaru Usman was requested about how 2026 unfolds for him and stated:
“2026, we need to say, wow, I can’t consider you truly did it and walked away with not only one title, however two.”
He added that his primary objective is first to win again the UFC welterweight strap.
“After all, welterweight first, as a result of I do not assume the subsequent struggle goes to occur with out welterweight, as a result of that is smart. I am on this division. I am nonetheless in it, so why not take it first?”
‘Nigeria’s Nightmare’ considers him to be Islam Makhachev’s ‘finest check’.
“Myself and Islam, I consider that Islam is an outstanding man, an exceptional champion, and what he is accomplished to date. You realize, I feel fights come right down to type. And I feel I am the toughest type for him proper now, I feel I am the most effective check for him…I feel it is a super matchup. I really like Islam, however I feel he is earned that title.”
Lastly, Kamaru Usman added that if he regains the welterweight title this yr, his subsequent objective can be a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, this time with a full camp.
“If I received it (the welterweight title), I feel lots of people would have wished to see a rematch with Khamzat. I really like the complete camp. It was too brief and I am used to five-round fights. I am pleased to have that chance once more and struggle in opposition to the large, robust Khamzat. If he can truly put together for it. Khamzat may be very proficient. He is accomplished every little thing that was requested of him. So he is an excellent champion, and primarily based on that, I feel if I had the possibility once more, I’d method that struggle a bit of bit in a different way. ”
The 38-year-old desires to win two UFC titles, be a part of the listing of two-division UFC champions, and experience off into the sundown.
Watch Kamaru Usman’s feedback under (10:00):
