Kamaru Usman has big plans in 2026. The former UFC welterweight champion not only intends to recapture the title that 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 strap in 2019 and held it until August 2022.
He defended it a total of five times before losing it to Leon Edwards in a rematch at UFC 278.
In 2023, at UFC 286, “The Nigerian Nightmare” got a chance to run it back with Edwards a third time but failed to recapture the throne, losing by majority decision.
Later that year, he moved up to middleweight to fight Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ notice and once again suffered a 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” wants to fight reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev next, and Makhachev has also shown interest in locking horns with the former.
Kamaru Usman plans to be a two-division UFC champ in 2026
In a recent interview with UFC op Eurosport, when Kamaru Usman was asked about how he visualizes 2026 playing out for him, he said:
“2026, we want to say, wow, I can’t believe you actually pulled that off and went and not only took one title but took two, and you walked away.”
He added that his primary objective is to recapture the UFC welterweight strap first :
“Of course, welterweight first because I don’t think the other one happens without the welterweight one, because it only makes sense. I’m in this division. I’m still there, 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, Islam is a phenomenal guy, phenomenal champion, what he’s been able to do. I just think, as we know, styles make a fight. And I think I’m the most difficult style for him right now, and I think I’m the best test for him… I think that’s a tremendous matchup. I love Islam, but I think I get that title.”
Lastly, Kamaru Usman added that if he gets back the welterweight title this year, his next objective would be to rematch Khamzat Chimaev, 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 love a full camp. It was too short, and I’ve been accustomed to fighting five-round fights. If I were able to get that opportunity again and to actually prepare for a big, strong Khamzat, because Khamzat is extremely talented. He’s done everything that was asked of him to do. So, he’s a good champion, and I think, having given that opportunity again, I would approach that fight a little differently.”
The 38-year-old wants to capture two UFC titles, join the list of two-division UFC champs, and then ride into the sunset.
Check out Kamaru Usman’s comments below (10:00):