Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has revealed a shocking revelation about his future in the game. “The Nigerian Nightmare” announced his intention to hold up his gloves after achieving what could be one of the crucial remarkable comebacks in UFC history, capturing each the welterweight and middleweight championships in 2026.
🚨 Kamaru Usman says he’ll walk away from the game in 2026 once he becomes welterweight and middleweight champion.
(Via UFC op Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/bI2PEonVsG
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 16, 2026
Usman’s daring declaration comes at a pivotal moment in his profession. Even with getting back heading in the right direction with a win over Joaquin Buckley after suffering two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards (one by KO) and a defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight on short notice, many wondered if the previous pound-for-pound king’s best days were behind him. Now, the 38-year-old has outlined an audacious plan that may see him reclaim his throne at 170 kilos before moving up to beat the middleweight division.
The trail back to glory won’t be easy for Usman, who held the welterweight title for over three years before Edwards dethroned him with that iconic head-kick knockout at UFC 286. The welterweight landscape has evolved significantly, with dangerous champion Islam Makhachev on the helm, whom he must face to reclaim his title. He may also have to bypass surging contenders just like the undefeated Michael Morales and rising contenders Ian Garry and Carlos Prates.
The middleweight component of his ambitious plan presents a good steeper challenge. After his loss to Chimaev in his 185-pound debut, which was on short notice, he showed that he can hang with the champion even without adequate time to organize. Nonetheless, Chimaev has only gotten higher since that encounter showcased in his dominance of Dricus Du Plessis to assert the 185-pound throne
If successful, Usman would join an exclusive club of simultaneous two-division champions, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo.
Usman’s wrestling pedigree and suffocating top control have defined his profession, producing a resume that features victories over Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington (twice), Gilbert Burns, and Tyron Woodley. The ability in his hands and his cardio remain elite despite his age.
The timeline for this ambitious campaign stays unclear, though Usman has been vocal about staying energetic in 2026. Whether the UFC brass will grant him the opportunities obligatory to attain his two-belt dream depends heavily on his performances in upcoming fights. If Kamaru Usman accomplishes this unprecedented feat, his retirement would mark the top of one of the crucial inspiring redemption arcs the game has ever witnessed.