Kamaru Usman's recent fight history shows a tough stretch, losing to Khamzat Chimaev in his middleweight debut and twice to Leon Edwards in title fights, sparking concerns about his career trajectory.
Injury Concerns: Throughout his career, Usman has dealt with various injuries that have affected his performance and training regimen2. Injuries can significantly impact an athlete’s ability to compete at the highest level consistently.
Career Reflection: At this stage of his career, there are discussions about retirement or transitioning into other combat sports like boxing4. Usman himself has hinted at considering retirement as he evaluates his legacy and future within MMA.
Personal Decisions: As with many athletes who reach a certain level of success, personal decisions regarding family life and future aspirations can also play a role in their availability for competition5.
In summary, Kamaru Usman is currently away from the UFC primarily due to a combination of recent losses leading to a three-fight losing streak, injury concerns affecting his performance
Strategic fight selection as he evaluates opportunities carefully, reflections on his career trajectory including potential retirement or transition into boxing, and personal decisions impacting his fighting schedule.