Kamaru Usman has big plans in 2026. The former UFC welterweight champion not only plans to regain the title he lost in 2022, but also wants to become a two-division UFC champion by dethroning middleweight kingpin Khamzat Chimaev.
Usman won the 170-pound belt in 2019 and held it until August 2022.
He defended it a total of five times before losing it Leon Edwards in a rematch at UFC 278.
In 2023, at UFC 286, “The Nigerian Nightmare” had the opportunity to win it back for a third time with Edwards, but failed to regain the throne, losing by majority decision.
Later that year, he moved up to middleweight to fight Khamzat Chimaev on ten days’ notice and suffered another loss by majority decision.
Two years later, in 2025, Kamaru Usman returned to the octagon at UFC Atlanta and delivered a dominant performance against Joaquin Buckley, snapping his losing skid with a unanimous decision victory.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” is next looking to fight reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, and Makhachev has also expressed interest in teaming up with the former.
Kamaru Usman plans to become a two-division UFC champion in 2026
In a recent interview with UFC on Eurosport, when Kamaru Usman was asked how he envisions the year 2026 for him, he said:
“2026, we want to say, wow, I can’t believe you actually pulled that off and not only took one title, but won two, and you walked away.”
He added that his main goal is to be the first to regain the UFC welterweight title:
“Obviously the welterweight first, because I don’t think the other one happens without the welterweight, because that only makes sense. I’m in this division. I’m still here, so why not take that one first?”
‘The Nigerian nightmare’ thinks he is the ‘best test’ for Islam Makhachev. He said:
“I think myself and Islam is a phenomenal guy, a phenomenal champion, what he’s been able to do. I just think, as we know, styles are a battle. And I think I’m the hardest style for him right now, and I think I’m the best test for him… I think that’s a great match. I love Islam, but I think I get that title.”
Finally, Kamaru Usman added that if he regains the welterweight title this year, his next goal would be to beat Khamzat Chimaev again, this time with a full camp.
‘If I get that [welterweight title]I think a lot of people wanted to see that rematch with Khamzat. I would like a full camp. It was too short and I’m used to five-round fights. If I could get that opportunity again and actually prepare for a big, strong Khamzat, because Khamzat is extremely talented. He did everything that was asked of him. So he’s a good champion and I think now that I’ve had that opportunity again, I would approach that fight a little bit differently.”
The 38-year-old wants to capture two UFC titles, join the list of UFC champions in two divisions and then ride off into the sunset.
Watch Kamaru Usman’s comments below (10:00):
#Kamaru #Usman #eyes #title #shots #lays #massive #plans