Kamaru Usman's Ultimate Career Goal: A Double Title Defense
Kamaru Usman, the reigning UFC champion, is on a mission to make his final career phase truly legendary. He's not just aiming for another championship reign; he's setting his sights on a unique and ambitious goal. Usman wants to reclaim the welterweight title and then make a bold move to the middleweight division for one final shot at the belt.
In a recent YouTube vlog, Usman laid out his dream scenario for the end of his career. He envisions a sequence of events that would be a fighter's ultimate achievement: win the welterweight title, vacate it, win the middleweight title, and then retire with an unparalleled legacy. This strategy is a bold move, as it challenges the conventional path of defending a title multiple times before moving up a weight class.
"In this part of my career, it's the dream scenario: next fight, win the welterweight title," Usman explained. "Vacate. Win the middleweight title. Retire. Just boom boom, one, two, and then be done. Because you can't top that. What else do I want?"
Usman's journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable. He's had one of the most dominant runs in UFC history, winning his first 15 fights after joining the promotion in 2015. He secured the welterweight title by defeating Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 and defended it five times consecutively. However, his reign came to an end when he lost to Leon Edwards, and a rematch with Edwards further solidified his defeat. In a surprising move, Usman then stepped up to middleweight to face Khamzat Chimaev, resulting in a loss that snapped his winning streak. He recently bounced back by defeating Joaquin Buckley in June, showcasing his resilience.
When asked about his mindset entering fights at this stage, Usman revealed a shift in motivation. He explained that the fear of losing, not the fear of being hurt, drives his performance.
"Absolutely, you're thinking about the fight," Usman said. "When you're going into the fight, it's not so much I'm afraid of being hurt. 'I'm afraid this guy might hurt me.' No, you're not afraid of that anymore. It's crazy how the whole point of it is you're afraid of losing. Like, man, I did all this work, I can't lose. I can't lose. That becomes the fear, which ultimately can either hinder you or actually put you in a place where you perform to greater than your expectations."
Usman's plan to vacate the welterweight title and move up to middleweight is a controversial move, as it challenges the traditional approach of defending a title multiple times. This strategy invites discussion and debate among fans and fellow fighters, as it raises questions about the optimal path to a fighter's legacy. Will Usman's bold approach pay off, or will it be a risky move that ends his career prematurely? Only time will tell, and the fight community eagerly awaits the outcome of this intriguing career phase.
