Usman weighs retirement options after injury-compounded defeat to du Plessis
The 39-year-old Nigerian Nightmare has lost four of his last five bouts and is consulting his team on whether to continue his career.
Former UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is deliberating his future in mixed martial arts following a unanimous decision defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City on 18 July 2026. The 39-year-old, who has now lost four of his last five fights, stated that he must consult with his coaching team to determine if continuing his career is worthwhile.
The bout, held at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, saw Usman struggle to implement his signature wrestling game against the former Middleweight champion. While Usman had a strong fifth round, he was rocked several times throughout the contest and failed to consistently take down du Plessis, who successfully stuffed takedown attempts and controlled the distance.
Post-fight revelations regarding the physical condition of the former champion have added context to the performance. During an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, co-host and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo disclosed that Usman competed with a torn pectoral muscle. Cejudo expressed disapproval of Usman taking the fight under those conditions, noting that the injury significantly hindered his ability to execute the wrestling strategy expected to be his primary path to victory.
Usman declined to use the injury as an excuse for the loss, accepting the outcome without reservation. He told Cejudo that fighters "roll the dice every time" and that there are no excuses, affirming his identity as a wrestler who attempted to utilise that skill set despite the physical limitation. He emphasised that he is not interested in remaining in the sport solely to collect a paycheck, but only for significant opportunities.
The defeat marks a difficult period for "The Nigerian Nightmare," who turned 39 in 2026. With his wrestling neutralised by du Plessis and his physical condition compromised, Usman indicated that he needs to assess his current standing in his career before making a final decision on his retirement.
