Let’s be real for a second. Most people look at the record books, see a "Loss" next to the name, and assume a fighter is washed. When you talk about the Kamaru Usman last fight, the casual fan just sees a guy on a losing skid. But if you actually watched what went down in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294, you know that narrative is basically garbage.
Usman didn't just show up to collect a paycheck. He took a fight against the scariest boogeyman in the sport, Khamzat Chimaev, on roughly ten days' notice. Ten days. Most of us need more time than that to plan a weekend trip, let alone prepare to trade leather with a "Wolf" in a higher weight class.
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The story of the Kamaru Usman last fight isn't about the majority decision loss. It’s about how close a "declining" legend came to de-railing the most hyped prospect in MMA history without a full training camp.
The Chaos of the Middleweight Debut
It was supposed to be Khamzat vs. Paulo Costa. Then Costa’s elbow decided to stop cooperating, and suddenly the UFC had a massive hole in their co-main event. Enter "The Nigerian Nightmare."
Moving up to 185 pounds for the first time was a massive gamble. Usman had spent his entire career terrorizing the welterweight division, but middleweight is a different beast entirely. You’re dealing with more bone density, more thudding power, and in Chimaev’s case, a grappling pace that usually breaks people in three minutes.
Honestly, the first round was hard to watch if you’re an Usman fan. Khamzat didn't just take him down; he wore him like a backpack. He was flattened out, defending chokes, and eating shots for five straight minutes. One judge even called it a 10-8 round. At that point, it felt like the end was near.
How Usman Almost Flipped the Script
Then the second round started. Something shifted. You’ve got to respect the veteran savvy Usman showed here. Instead of panicking after a dominant round, he stayed calm. He forced Khamzat to stand.
Suddenly, the "unstoppable" Chimaev looked human. He looked tired.
By the third round of the Kamaru Usman last fight, the momentum had completely swung. Usman was the one pushing the pace, landing stiff jabs, and finding his rhythm. If that fight had been five rounds—the standard distance for an Usman championship bout—a lot of experts think Kamaru would have finished him. Khamzat was fading fast, later admitting he might have broken his hand, but Usman was just getting warmed up.
The final scorecards were 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28. A majority decision. It was a loss, yeah, but it was the kind of loss that actually raised Usman’s stock. He proved that even at 36 and out of his weight class, his "A-game" is still elite.
Breaking Down the Stat Sheet
The numbers from the Kamaru Usman last fight tell a weird story.
- Significant Strikes: Usman actually landed 36 to Chimaev’s 38. Almost dead even.
- Takedown Defense: While Chimaev got him down early, Usman stuffed 8 of 12 attempts over the course of the fight.
- Total Strikes: Chimaev had the edge (107 to 58) mostly due to the ground control in round one.
But stats don't show the "vibe" of the fight. The vibe was: Kamaru Usman is still that guy. He didn't look like a fighter who had lost his chin or his heart. He looked like a guy who was just starting to figure out the 185-pound landscape when the final buzzer saved his opponent.
What’s Next for the Nightmare?
Since that night in Abu Dhabi, there’s been a ton of talk about what’s left. Does he go back to 170? Does he stay at middleweight?
Wait, did you catch the news? Usman didn't just sit around. In June 2025, he returned to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta and absolutely dismantled Joaquin Buckley. He leaned on that vintage wrestling, controlled the pace, and snapped his losing streak with a dominant unanimous decision. It was a "shut up and watch" performance that reminded the world why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.
Now, as we head into 2026, the stakes are higher than ever. The latest word is that Usman is squarely in the title conversation again. Whether it’s a shot at the new welterweight king or a blockbuster "legacy" fight against someone like Islam Makhachev at UFC 326, the Nigerian Nightmare isn't going quietly into the night.
Actionable Takeaways for Fight Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with Usman’s career trajectory or just want to sound smarter at your next watch party, keep these things in mind:
- Don't ignore the context: A loss on 10 days' notice in a new weight class is not the same as losing a full-camp title defense.
- Watch the gas tank: In his recent fights, Usman’s cardio has remained his biggest weapon. He outlasts younger fighters who blow their energy early.
- The "Wrestling Identity": Watch for him to return to his roots. Against Buckley, he stopped trying to be a pure kickboxer and went back to the dominant wrestling that made him a champion.
- Ranking Watch: As of early 2026, Usman is still hovering in the top 10. One more big win puts him right back in a title fight.
The Kamaru Usman last fight against Chimaev was a turning point, not an ending. It forced him to recalibrate, and if the Buckley win was any indication, the 2026 version of Usman might be the most dangerous one we've seen yet.
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Keep an eye on the official UFC rankings this month. If a title fight with Makhachev or a rematch in the welterweight division gets announced, expect the betting lines to be much closer than people think. Usman isn't done; he’s just starting his second act.
Next Steps for You: Check the latest UFC 326 rumors to see if the Usman vs. Makhachev bout has been officially moved to the main event slot. Also, keep tabs on the welterweight division rankings—if Usman jumps into the top 5 this week, a title shot is essentially guaranteed by summer.