Kamaru Usman has massive plans for 2026.
The former UFC welterweight champion (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) told UFC on Eurosport this week that his goal for the coming year is nothing short of reclaiming the 170-pound title and then capturing gold at middleweight before walking away from the sport.
“If you look into the future and we’re sitting here next year looking back at 2026, we want to say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe you actually pulled that off,’” Usman said. “Not only took one title, but you took two. And you walked away.”
Usman made it clear the path starts at 170 pounds, where he ruled the roost between 2019 and 2022.
“Of course, the welterweight first,” he said. “Because I don’t think the other one happens without the welterweight one. I’m in this division. I’m still there. So why not take that one first?”
It has been widely speculated that Usman could be next in line to challenge current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC), potentially at a proposed June card at the White House.
After enduring a three-fight skid, Usman returned to winning form last June, defeating Joaquin Buckley over five rounds in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Atlanta. The 25-minute performance halted the first losing streak of his career and reinserted him into the title picture.
Usman has also previously tested himself at 185 pounds, narrowly losing to Khamzat Chimaev (who later went on to claim middleweight gold) in a competitive outing.
Now, with renewed momentum, Usman is targeting a rare two-division championship run to cap his legacy.
