Kamaru Usman considers future after loss to Dricus du Plessis

By Bilal Ahmed — 23 July 2026 — 3 min read

Usman’s post-fight reflections

Following a recent defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City, Kamaru Usman is evaluating his career trajectory. The former UFC welterweight champion is contemplating whether to continue competing or to retire from the sport.

Usman, who moved up to middleweight for the bout, stated that he needs to consult with his coaches and team to assess his current standing in his career. He indicated that this assessment would help determine if it is worthwhile to continue fighting.

The fighter expressed that every loss is challenging, but he felt this particular defeat was difficult because he believed he did not represent himself appropriately. He acknowledged that to an observer, his performance might have appeared as if he had taken on more than he could handle, a visual he dislikes, even if he did not feel that internally.

Career crossroads

Usman mentioned that he has always performed well in his previous losses. He cited his rematch against Leon Edwards, where he was on track for a decision victory before being caught by a head kick in the final round, as an example of representing himself effectively.

He also referenced a fight against Khamzat Chimaev, which he took on short notice, suggesting that with more rounds, the outcome could have been different. Usman noted that in another fight, he pushed himself to compete despite reservations, finding his rhythm halfway through.

In contrast, he felt there was something to build upon from those past fights. However, he perceives the recent loss to du Plessis differently, stating that it looked as though he was overwhelmed, which he finds unsatisfactory.

Usman did not specify a timeline for his decision. He noted that difficult choices are likely ahead as he considers booking another fight or potentially retiring. He plans to discuss his options with his team and family.

The fighter described his current situation as challenging, especially after achieving significant highs in the sport. He explained that experiencing lows can be tough because he holds himself to a high standard, making the prospect of a potentially permanent decision difficult.

The Du Plessis victory

In the main event at UFC Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis secured a unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman. The judges scored the contest 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of du Plessis.

The fight saw du Plessis, a former 185-pound champion, dominate the former welterweight titleholder. Usman, who spent most of his career in the welterweight division, moved up to middleweight for this bout against one of the top athletes in the division.

During the 25-minute contest, du Plessis utilized jabs and low kicks from a distance in the first round. A significant moment occurred in the second round when du Plessis landed a jumping knee during Usman’s takedown attempt, followed by a series of strikes.

Usman withstood the pressure and began landing more punches in the third round. He had a strong period in the fourth round, increasing his pace and landing several right hands. In the final round, Usman continued to push forward with active striking combinations.

After the fight, Usman accepted the judges’ decision, stating, “I have no excuses. I’m not used to being on this side.” This marked another milestone in Usman’s career, which includes 21 career victories.

Source: mmafighting.com