Kamaru Usman Reveals Ambitious Retirement Plans as UFC 322 Approaches

UPDATE: Kamaru Usman is setting the stage for a dramatic end to his UFC career. The former welterweight champion, now 38 years old, shared his ambitious plans with TMZ Sports ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Usman has his eyes keenly focused on the title fight between current champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, who is moving up to challenge for the welterweight title after relinquishing his lightweight belt. “I think [the fight is] a toss-up, but I do think Islam has the grappling edge when it goes down to the ground,” Usman stated. “We’ll see what happens. But of course, I’m looking to get in there and potentially test myself against the winner.”

While Usman has not confirmed a specific return date to the Octagon—having last scored a victory against Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in June—he is determined to reclaim his status. He aims to capture the welterweight title and then pursue the middleweight championship currently held by Khamzat Chimaev. “The storybook would be to go and grab this title, then go and grab the other title,” Usman emphasized.

Usman’s quest for greatness includes a desire to become a two-division champion, a title he has yet to achieve in his illustrious career. “That’s the only thing that is not on the resume is the two-division champion. Go out and get that,” he said. This ambition is fueled not just by his competitive spirit but also by the emotional weight of wanting to avenge his past losses, including a narrow defeat to Chimaev in a fight he took on short notice.

With UFC 322 just around the corner, fans are eager to see how this pivotal title bout unfolds and how it will shape Usman’s future. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting as Usman prepares to potentially step back into the Octagon against a fresh champion.

The fight at Madison Square Garden kicks off on Saturday, and all eyes will be on the outcome as Usman maps out his future. Stay tuned for more developments on his journey to cementing his legacy as a two-division champion. The excitement is palpable, and the implications are significant for the entire UFC landscape.