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Usman Mulls Retirement After Unanimous Decision Loss to Du Plessis

7/24/2026

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Summary

Usman Weighs Retirement

Kamaru Usman said he is weighing retirement after a unanimous-decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis on July 18, 2026.
The defeat was his fourth loss in five fights, dropping his record to 21-5.
Usman moved up to the 185-pound middleweight division for the main-event bout at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
He will meet his coaches, team and family to decide if continuing to fight is worthwhile.

Summary

Du Plessis Triumphs

Judges scored the fight 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 for Dricus Du Plessis, who landed 136 significant strikes to Kamaru Usman's 92.
Du Plessis called Usman a lifelong warrior and announced, “I’m back in the winner’s circle, baby, let’s get my belt back!”
Former champion T.J. Dillashaw said Usman appeared slower, lacked reaction time and should consider moving back to the 170-pound division.

Summary

Usman Faces Injury

Henry Cejudo said Kamaru Usman fought on July 18 with a torn pectoral.
Cejudo argued the injury made takedowns “different, man” and doubted Usman’s ability.
Usman replied he would not use the torn pec as an excuse and “rolls the dice”.
UFC president Dana White said Usman must sit with coaches to assess his future.
Cejudo said the injury explains why Usman’s wrestling failed against Du Plessis.

History

Historical Context

At UFC 68 on March 3 2007, Tim Sylvia defeated returning heavyweight Randy Couture, a loss that spurred Couture’s retirement and drew 19,079 spectators. Couture later reconciled with the UFC and returned to fight, showing champions can resume after stepping away. Usman's July 18 2026 unanimous-decision defeat to Dricus Du Plessis, with a torn pectoral, has sparked comparable retirement talk.

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Usman Weighs Retirement

Kamaru Usman said he is weighing retirement after a unanimous-decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis on July 18, 2026.
The defeat was his fourth loss in five fights, dropping his record to 21-5.
Usman moved up to the 185-pound middleweight division for the main-event bout at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
He will meet his coaches, team and family to decide if continuing to fight is worthwhile.

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