Ali Akbar Rosady
Kamaru Usman, the former undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion, has revealed that his performance against Dricus du Plessis in a recent bout at what was reported as "UFC Oklahoma City" was significantly hampered by an early eye injury. Usman stated that a punch to the eye during the second round severely compromised his vision, leading to a "blurred" perspective that persisted throughout the 25-minute contest.
The fight, which concluded in a clear unanimous decision victory for du Plessis, saw Usman struggle to establish his rhythm and offensive output. The contest was framed as a pivotal moment for Usman, who had made the move up to the middleweight division, aiming to re-insert himself into the title conversation across two weight classes. However, the outcome has placed "The Nigerian Nightmare" in a precarious position regarding his immediate championship aspirations.
According to Usman’s post-fight remarks at the press conference, the impact occurred early in the contest. "I took kind of a thumb-punch in the eye early on, and that kind of blurred the vision a bit," Usman explained, detailing the initial moments of impairment. While he did not specify the exact nature of the strike, such as whether it was an accidental eye poke or a clean punch that caused the damage, the effect was immediate and enduring.
The former welterweight king elaborated on the profound impact of the injury. "I was pretty compromised," Usman stated, describing the visual distortion as "seeing two of the big boys." This condition, medically known as diplopia or double vision, can severely impair a fighter’s ability to judge distance, anticipate strikes, and react effectively. Usman further explained how this affected his defensive maneuvers against du Plessis, who was described by Usman as "big, strong, and rangy." He noted, "It’s a little delayed to get out of the way of those shots, seeing them."
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Despite the significant visual impairment and being repeatedly stunned by du Plessis’s shots, Usman showcased the tenacity and resilience that defined his championship reign. He managed to "hang tough" through the grueling five rounds, even securing the fifth round on two of the judges’ scorecards. This ability to persevere under duress, particularly with compromised vision, underscored his reputation as one of the sport’s most durable and determined athletes. The final scorecards reflected a comprehensive victory for du Plessis, with judges scoring the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
Dricus du Plessis, referred to in the context of this bout as a "former middleweight champion," entered the fight with a reputation for his aggressive, unorthodox style and impressive finishing capabilities. (It is important to note for real-world context that Dricus du Plessis later went on to defeat Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024 to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion, holding the title at the time of this reporting.) His size and reach advantage were key factors in the narrative of this particular matchup, with Usman acknowledging his opponent’s physical attributes. "He was big, he was strong, he was rangy. So, it was a little tough to get going," Usman conceded, independent of the eye injury.
Usman’s career has been marked by unparalleled dominance in the welterweight division. Holding the UFC Welterweight Championship for 802 days, "The Nigerian Nightmare" successfully defended his title five times, securing victories over elite contenders such as Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns, and Leon Edwards, before eventually losing the belt to Edwards via a head kick knockout at UFC 278. A subsequent rematch at UFC 286 also went in favor of Edwards, marking a rare period of consecutive losses for Usman. This recent foray into the middleweight division was seen by many as an attempt to reset his career trajectory and seek new challenges, mirroring other multi-division aspirations seen in the sport.
Beyond the immediate injury, Usman hinted at undisclosed physical issues he was contending with even before stepping into the octagon against du Plessis. "My ability to do what I want kind of surprised me," Usman commented. "Because like I said, each and every fight, we’re dealing with something, but you guys never hear of it. Especially with me, because most of the time I come out here and I’m victorious, so you never hear about what I’m dealing with coming in."
This sentiment reflects a common reality among professional fighters, who often compete through various injuries and ailments that remain hidden from the public and media. Usman emphasized that his refusal to elaborate on these pre-existing conditions was consistent with his career-long approach. "Oh, I’m dealing with something every time," he stated. "Most fighters deal with something all the time, and we overcome it. Most of my career, deal with something, overcome, go out there and you get the dub, and you guys never hear of it. Just like you won’t hear of this one."
Despite the candid discussion of his compromised state, Usman maintained a stoic "no excuses" stance. "But no excuses. It is what it is," he affirmed, acknowledging the professional standard expected of athletes at his level. However, the emotional toll of the loss was palpable. "It’s tough to be on this side. I’m not used to being on this side. So yeah, it kind of sucks," Usman admitted, providing a rare glimpse into the psychological impact of defeat on a fighter accustomed to consistent victory.
The defeat to du Plessis presents a significant crossroads for Kamaru Usman. His aspiration to challenge for titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions now appears more distant. At 36 years old (as of this reporting), and with a professional MMA record of 20 wins and 4 losses (prior to this hypothetical fight), Usman’s path back to immediate title contention in either weight class is complicated. In the welterweight division, the landscape remains competitive, while in middleweight, the depth of talent and his recent loss to a top contender (in this hypothetical scenario) mean a considerable rebuild would be necessary.
Looking ahead, Usman indicated a flexible approach to his career. "We’ll see where there’s next opportunities at," he stated, suggesting he would remain open to significant bouts, even on short notice. He cited examples from his own career, such as stepping in to fight Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight on short notice at UFC 294 (a real event where Usman fought Chimaev at middleweight in October 2023, losing a unanimous decision, illustrating his willingness to take challenging fights) or Jorge Masvidal. These instances highlight Usman’s readiness to seize high-profile opportunities, regardless of preparation time.
Usman also drew a parallel to the career trajectory of Michael Bisping, who famously captured the UFC Middleweight Championship on short notice. "Michael Bisping was middleweight champion of the world. Let’s not forget that opportunity came up, he jumped on it, he was a middleweight champion," Usman remarked, signaling that he remains attentive to similar unforeseen chances that could alter his championship prospects.
For Usman, a fighter who has largely defined his era with dominance and an unyielding will, the future is now a mosaic of potential paths. Whether he chooses to return to the welterweight division where he reigned supreme, pursue further challenges at middleweight, or explore other options, his immediate focus will likely involve recovering from any lingering injuries and carefully evaluating the next strategic move in what has been a storied career. The impact of the early eye injury against Dricus du Plessis will undoubtedly be a factor in that assessment, serving as a stark reminder of the fine margins that define victory and defeat at the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.
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