{"id":819250,"date":"2026-07-23T18:55:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/819250\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T18:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:55:20","slug":"future-ufc-hall-of-famer-considering-retirement-following-latest-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/819250\/","title":{"rendered":"Future UFC Hall of Famer Considering Retirement Following Latest Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

A former champion and future UFC Hall of Famer finds himself at a bit of a career crossroads following his latest loss. <\/p>\n

After taking a rare break for Fourth of July to open the month, the UFC resumed its busy schedule with the return of Conor McGregor at UFC 329<\/a> before trips to Oklahoma City and Abu Dhabi to close out July and its first-ever card in Belgrade, Serbia to open August.<\/p>\n

Last Saturday\u2019s UFC card saw the promotion return to Oklahoma City for the first time in nearly 10 years<\/a>, and in the night\u2019s main event Dricus du Plessis took a largely dominant unanimous decision over Kamaru Usman in a battle between former UFC champions. <\/p>\n

UFC Oklahoma City Loss Leaves Kamaru Usman Contemplating Retirement<\/p>\n

The fight with Du Plessis marked the second time Usman has tested himself at middleweight in the UFC<\/a>, as the former welterweight champion also moved up to 185 lbs. for a short-notice matchup with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.<\/p>\n

Now 1-4 dating back to 2022, Usman admitted in the days following UFC Oklahoma City that he\u2019s actively considering whether or not he should carry on with his fighting career. <\/p>\n

\"Kamaru<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Dricus Du Plessis (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Paycom Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I just have to sit with the coaches, sit with the team, assess everything,\u201d Usman explained on Pound-for-Pound<\/a> (h\/t MMA Fighting<\/a>). \u201cAssess the place where I\u2019m at in my career. Just all in all, see whether it\u2019s worth continuing to do this. Whether it\u2019s worth continuing to put them through that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman Won 15-Straight Fights to Start UFC Career<\/p>\n

Prior to his current run of results, Usman had only tasted defeat once across his first 21 professional MMA bouts. <\/p>\n

\"Kamaru<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman speaks during the ceremonial weigh-in for UFC Fight Night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

After he was submitted in his second fight in 2013, \u201cThe Nigerian Nightmare\u201d won four-straight bouts to earn a spot on Season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter and ultimately became the show\u2019s welterweight tournament winner. <\/p>\n

\"Tyron<\/p>\n

Tyron Woodley (red gloves) and Kamaru Usman (blue gloves) during UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena. | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

An unbeaten start to his UFC career eventually earned Usman a title shot at UFC 325, where he dominated Tyron Woodley over the course of five rounds to claim the promotion\u2019s welterweight strap. <\/p>\n

“The Nigerian Nightmare” is 1-4 Since Losing UFC Welterweight Belt<\/p>\n

Usman would go on to successfully defend his belt on five occasions, defeating Gilbert Burns in between two meetings each with Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.<\/p>\n

\"Kamaru<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman (red gloves) competes against Colby Covington (blue gloves) during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

UFC 278 saw the 39-year-old step into the cage to defend his belt against Leon Edwards in a rematch of a 2015 meeting that Usman won via unanimous decision. Usman was well on his way to collecting a second win over Edwards before \u201cRocky\u201d connected with a stunning head kick with just under a minute remaining in the fight.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Kamaru<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman (red gloves) lays in the ring after being knocked out by Leon Edwards (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

A trilogy fight at UFC 286 saw Usman drop a majority decision to Edwards ahead of his short-notice meeting wih Chimaev at UFC 294. \u201cThe Nigerian Nightmare\u201d collected his first win in nearly four years when he defeated Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta<\/a> last year before he moved back up to middleweight to meet du Plessis last weekend. <\/p>\n

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