Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, has unveiled an ambitious plan for the final stage of his career, declaring that he intends to hang up his gloves only after securing world titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. If successful, it would stand as one of the most extraordinary comebacks in mixed martial arts history.
The “Nigerian Nightmare” outlined this daring two-division goal at a moment when many observers had begun to doubt his chances of returning to championship form. Following consecutive losses to Leon Edwards and a short-notice middleweight defeat against Khamzat Chimaev, questions mounted about whether the 38-year-old still had his peak fighting years ahead.
Usman began to quiet some of that skepticism with a decisive win over Joaquin Buckley. Reports from ClutchPoints indicate that he now aims to join the elite group of UFC fighters—such as Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo—who have held belts in two weight classes simultaneously.
Reclaiming the welterweight crown is the first hurdle. Usman ruled the division for over three years before Edwards claimed the belt, and the landscape has since grown increasingly competitive, featuring rising talents like Michael Morales, Ian Garry, and Carlos Prates.
The middleweight challenge is even greater. Chimaev, who defeated Usman in his 185-pound debut, has since captured the middleweight championship with a commanding performance against Dricus Du Plessis. Despite that loss, Usman believes a fully prepared camp could produce a vastly different outcome.
Throughout his career, Usman’s wrestling mastery and relentless top control have been his trademark, earning him victories over notable fighters including Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington twice, Gilbert Burns, and Tyron Woodley.
Whether the UFC will clear the path for Usman’s two-division ambition hinges on his upcoming performances. He has expressed his intent to remain active throughout 2026. Should he achieve this historic feat, his retirement would mark the conclusion of one of MMA’s most compelling redemption narratives.
