Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has big plans in 2026. “The Nigerian Nightmare” wants to reclaim the 170-pound championship and then march up and conquer the UFC middleweight throne.
The Nigerian-American fighter registered five successful UFC welterweight title defenses before losing his belt to Leon Edwards in their 2022 rematch. In 2023, he had a chance to reclaim his throne but suffered a majority decision loss to Edwards in their trilogy bout.
Later that year, he made his middleweight debut and faced Khamzat Chimaev on short notice, losing by majority decision once more.
Following a two-year hiatus, “The Nigerian Nightmare” stepped foot in the octagon at UFC Atlanta in 2025, snapping his three-fight losing skid after cruising to a dominant unanimous decision win over “New Mansa.”
He now has his crosshairs on reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is yet to make the first defense of his newly claimed throne.
Makhachev and Usman have both shown interest in locking horns, but the promotion might have other plans. Recent rumors indicate that the No. 2-ranked 170-pound contender Ian Machado Garry will be next to challenge Islam Makhachev.
Nevertheless, Kamaru Usman is preparing for a title shot and plans to step into the cage after Ramadan.
Kamaru Usman wants to dethrone Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev this year
In a recent interview with UFC op Eurosport, when the 38-year-old was asked about his plans for 2026, 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 you took two, and you walked away.”
Kamaru Usman first wants to reclaim what he lost to Edwards in 2022 by dethroning Islam Makahchev in 2026. After that, he wants to move up and run it back with Khamzat Chimaev, who is now the reigning UFC middleweight champion. He said:
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?”
Usman added:
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.”
Check out Kamaru Usman’s comments below (10:03):
“The Nigerian Nightmare” plans to hang up the gloves once he manages to get past all hurdles and become a two-division UFC champion in 2026.
