Kamaru Usman Sets Sights On Historic Double Championship In 2026

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has laid out bold ambitions for 2026, announcing plans to chase not just one title, but two major belts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship before closing out the year.

At age 38, “The Nigerian Nightmare” remains driven and hungry for success after a career filled with memorable victories and long title reigns.

With a legacy already cemented among UFC’s greatest welterweights, Usman is preparing to write the most remarkable chapter of his career yet.

A Return to Welterweight Glory

Usman’s primary objective for 2026 is clear: regain the UFC welterweight title. This is the belt he once dominated, holding it from March 2019 until August 2022 with five successful defenses the longest reign in the division’s history.

Right now, the welterweight strap belongs to Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion who moved up in weight and seized the gold.

Despite a lapse in recent form over the past few years, Usman insists he still belongs among the division’s elite and wants his chance at reclaiming the top spot.

“Of course it begins with welterweight first because I don’t think the other one can happen without winning back this title,” Usman told UFC on Eurosport.

For Usman, a fight with Makhachev represents both a strategic and personal challenge. He respects the champion’s credentials and views the matchup as an ideal test of contrasting styles his wrestling-based pressure against Makhachev’s calculated control.

Dream Matchups and Redemption

If Usman succeeds in reclaiming the welterweight title, his sights will move toward one of the biggest opportunities a fighter can pursue capturing a championship in a second weight class.

According to the former champ, a potential showdown with Khamzat Chimaev would be the perfect follow-up to a welterweight title win.

Their last clash came at UFC 294, where Chimaev stopped Usman via majority decision on short notice.

Usman has openly said he would welcome a full training camp for a rematch, confident that with proper preparation, he can deliver a different result.

“If I get that title, a lot of people wanted to see that rematch with Khamzat. I would love a proper training camp,” Usman said.

Why This Year Is Critical

Professionally and personally, 2026 represents a pivotal moment for Usman. Having already overcome three straight losses, two to Leon Edwards and one to Chimaev, his June 2025 victory against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta marked a turning point.

That win demonstrated that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level and fueled his confidence heading into this ambitious year.

In that fight, Usman showcased his trademark wrestling and tactical precision, proving to doubters that he remains a force in the 170-pound division despite setbacks.

The emotional nature of that win showed just how much the sport still means to him.

A Test of Legacy

Usman already ranks among the most successful welterweights of all time. According to UFC records, he once held the top spot on the Pound-for-Pound list and remains one of the division’s most decorated champions in history with 15 straight wins during his peak.

But the Nigerian-born fighter has made it clear that past achievements aren’t enough. His goal isn’t simply reclaiming prominence; he wants undeniable greatness.

Winning two titles in one year would be a rare achievement in MMA and redefine his narrative heading into the final stage of his career.

That put Usman’s mindset into perspective when he explained his vision for 2026:

“When you look at a year, ideally you want to look back and say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I did that.’ And not just get one title, but take two and walk away knowing you did it.”

Fans and Critics Watching Closely

The MMA world has taken notice of Usman’s goals. Some fans argue that his recent setbacks make his path particularly steep, especially against fighters like Makhachev or rising stars such as Jack Della Maddalena.

Others believe that Usman’s experience, resume, and competitive fire still make him a threat to anyone in the welterweight class.

Even among fighters, there’s talk that if Usman captures the title again, it could set up major matchups later in the year possibly impacting contender standings and title shot orders.

The Road Ahead

What lies ahead for Usman in 2026 is uncertain, but one thing is clear: he has a full plate.

Reclaiming his old crown and then chasing a second gold belt demands focus, elite performance, and peak physical conditioning.

And yet, for a man who has been through some of the sport’s biggest battles, that challenge is exactly what fuels him most.

As the year unfolds, all eyes will be on Kamaru Usman, the veteran warrior, determined to define his legacy not by what he has done, but by what he will yet achieve in the UFC.