Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is facing a crossroads in his storied career after a unanimous decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in their middleweight main event at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, 2026. The defeat has prompted deep reflection on whether to continue fighting or retire.
Usman, who once reigned as the dominant welterweight champion with five successful title defenses and a 15-fight UFC win streak, has now suffered four losses in his last five outings. His decline began in 2022 when he lost the welterweight title to Leon Edwards via a stunning head-kick knockout, followed by a narrow decision defeat in the immediate rematch. After moving up to middleweight, he lost a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev on short notice, then rebounded with a victory over Joaquin Buckley in 2025. However, the loss to du Plessis has left him questioning his future.
The Fight with Du Plessis
The bout at UFC Oklahoma City was a one-sided affair, with du Plessis controlling the action from the opening bell. The South African's awkward pressure and stance changes, combined with a sharp jab and low kicks, kept Usman at bay. Scorecards read 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46, reflecting du Plessis's dominance. A turning point came in the second round when du Plessis landed a perfectly timed southpaw left knee as Usman shot for a body jab, causing visible damage to Usman's left eye after an apparent thumb graze. Despite the compromised vision, Usman continued to compete, finding a second wind in the third and fourth rounds with clean right hands. Yet du Plessis responded with a right hook that dropped Usman and a head kick that wobbled him in the fifth. Usman finished strong, but it was too little, too late. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors for their efforts.
Usman's Post-Fight Reflection
On the latest episode of the "Pound 4 Pound" podcast he co-hosts with former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, Usman opened up about his mindset. "I have to just sit with the coaches, sit with the team, assess kind of everything and just assess the place where I'm at in my career," Usman said. He continued, "Just, all in all, just see if it's worth continuing to do this. Whether it's worth continuing to put them through that. Because I've never really gone out there and not represented them appropriately." The former champion emphasized the difficulty of facing lows after experiencing such highs, stating, "When you've achieved so much, and you've got so much highs in the sport, when you start to feel the lows, it's not that great."
Injury Details Revealed
During the same podcast, Cejudo revealed that Usman had fought with a torn pectoral muscle, a significant detail that explained the former champion's ineffective wrestling—du Plessis stuffed several takedown attempts. Cejudo expressed concern, saying, "I didn't like you taking this fight because if you're fighting with one pec, Kamaru, that's different, man." However, Usman refused to use the injury as an excuse. "I understand that, Henry, but it is what it is," Usman responded. "We roll the dice every time, so there are no excuses. We roll the dice, and sometimes it works out, and no one ever finds out." This refusal to make excuses is characteristic of Usman's approach throughout his career, often focusing on preparation and accountability.
Career Legacy and Road Ahead
At 39 years old, Usman's legacy is already secure as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history. He captured the title in 2019 by defeating Tyron Woodley and went on to defend against Colby Covington (twice), Gilbert Burns, Jorge Masvidal, and Leon Edwards before the upset loss. His wrestling base, improved striking, and high fight IQ made him a feared opponent. However, the recent skid has raised questions about his durability and desire to continue. The division has evolved, with younger contenders like du Plessis and Chimaev emerging, while former rivals like Edwards remain active. Usman's future may involve a drop back to welterweight or a retirement announcement. In his podcast, he concluded, "It puts you in a really difficult and really tough place to make a tough and potentially permanent decision." The MMA community now waits for Usman's final verdict, knowing that whatever he chooses, his impact on the sport is indelible.
Source:Yahoo Sports News