Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman hasn’t fought since he lost to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023. But as “The Nigerian Nightmare” finally returns to UFC on ESPN 69 against Joaquin Buckley after almost two years, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, opened up about Usman’s past health issues and shared a positive update on how he is doing now.
Kamaru Usman’s Health Struggles Before the Khamzat Chimaev Fight
Usman has suffered many injuries throughout his career. His knee problems are well-known in the MMA world. He is now on a three-fight losing streak, and according to Abdelaziz, Usman has been fighting over the past couple of years while his health has been compromised.
The manager told “Submission Radio,” “Let’s be real. Let’s see Kamaru’s last three losses. He lost to Leon and he was beating the hell out of Leon, just got caught. Rematched him again, he went to London. I tell you something. He couldn’t walk. He have to have five injections for this fight.”
Abdelaziz revealed that Usman was far from his peak condition when he faced Chimaev. He said, “For the last seven-eight years, he had to get six-seven injections before fights to be able to fight.” Besides, the manager also mentioned that Usman fought Chimaev on a 10-day notice, and before that, he was partying in Milan.
When asked about the specific nature of Usman’s health issues, Abdelaziz replied, “Knee, shoulder, you name it. He had always got something, you know.”
But it seems like Usman is in a much better place now. “Now he’s fixed. He’s healthy,” the manager said. He even shared his recent experience training with Usman in Denver, stating, “I trained with Kamaru and he beat the sh*t out of me and he’s in one of the best shapes, I felt it for a long time and he’s healthy. He has no injuries.”
Usman’s struggles tell a different side of the story that often gets lost behind his three tough losses. But now that he is healthy again, there is still hope he can make one last run for the title before his career wraps up.
Usman’s Future in the UFC
As Usman prepares to take on Buckley, Abdelaziz is confident that his fighter will come out on top. “Buckley’s tough, but I think Kamaru is on a different level,” he said. A win for “The Nigerian Nightmare” could put him back in the title mix, with Jack Della Madallena sitting on the throne.
Interestingly, Abdelaziz also manages Islam Makhachev, who is moving up to welterweight to fight JDM. If both Usman and Makhachev win, a fight between them could happen. But for now, Abdelaziz keeps things open, saying, “It’s possible.”
He highlighted Usman’s legendary status and the perks that come with it. “I think Kamaru can fight JDM or somebody else, whatever he wants to do. Kamaru is a legend man. Sometimes when you accomplish this much, you get to do whatever the hell you want,” Abdelaziz said.
😁🤝 Back in 2022 Kamaru Usman and Islam Makhachev talking about fighting each other and selling PPVs.
“If you have belt.. Me and you fight.”
🎥 @WillHarrisAOAF pic.twitter.com/Z4TgW5X1jM
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 24, 2025
It’ll be interesting to see if a fight between Makhachev and Usman ever happens. However, with some fighters still ranked above Usman right now, even if Makhachev wins the title, a matchup between them might not happen immediately.