Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says the setbacks he has endured in recent years have equipped him with a powerful new weapon as he prepares for the next phase of his mixed martial arts career.
The Nigerian-born fighter, widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, believes the lessons learned from defeat have transformed his mindset and strengthened his approach to competition.
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“I’ve studied myself the way I study opponents,” Usman said. “And what I’ve learned is that my greatest weakness has become my greatest strength. The same intensity that cost me in some fights is the same intensity that will carry me to where I need to be. It’s about channeling it differently.”
The 38-year-old explained that experience has taught him the importance of controlling his emotions and adapting his strategy based on the circumstances of each fight.
“It’s about understanding the room and reading the opponent and knowing when to turn up the heat and when to be surgical. That’s not just physical evolution. That’s mental mastery. And that’s what this next chapter is built on,” he added.
Usman’s comments come after a challenging period in his career.
In his last four UFC appearances, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has recorded one victory and three defeats.
His run began with a dramatic fifth-round knockout loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022, a defeat that ended his lengthy reign as UFC welterweight champion.
He subsequently lost a closely contested trilogy bout against Edwards by majority decision at UFC 286 in March 2023.
Later that year, Usman stepped up to the middleweight division on short notice to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, suffering another narrow majority decision defeat.
However, the former champion bounced back impressively on June 14, 2025, when he dominated Joaquin Buckley over five rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory and snap his three-fight losing streak.
Reflecting on his journey, Usman emphasized that both success and failure have played crucial roles in shaping him as a fighter.
“Every fight I’ve had has prepared me for this moment. The wins taught me what it takes to be great. The losses taught me what it takes to stay great. Most fighters don’t get the benefit of both lessons.”
With renewed confidence and a refined mindset, Usman believes the difficult experiences of recent years have positioned him for another successful chapter inside the Octagon.
He is due for a return to the Octagon on July 18, 2026 when he is will be facing South African Dircus du Plesis in the main event of the UFC Oklahoma
