Kamaru Usman Blames Eye Poke for UFC Loss to Dricus Du Plessis

Kamaru Usman suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281 on Saturday, and the former welterweight champion believes an eye poke played a role in the loss. The Nigerian fighter, now 39, admitted the incident impacted his vision but stopped short of using it as an excuse for the setback.

What Happened During the Fight?

Usman told reporters at the post-fight news conference that he took a thumb-punch in the eye early in the bout. The referee called a timeout, but replays showed it was more of a punch than a foul. Despite the blurred vision, Usman remained competitive, though he ultimately lost the decision.

Du Plessis, the former middleweight champion, improved his record to 24-3 with the win. Usman, now 21-5 in MMA and 16-4 in the UFC, has lost four of his last five fights, bouncing between welterweight and middleweight divisions.

Why It Matters for Kamaru Usman

The loss marks another setback in Usman’s recent career, but he remains confident in his abilities. He emphasized that he can still compete at both 170 and 185 pounds, though he admitted the eye poke made it harder to gauge Du Plessis’ rangy strikes.

Usman’s last victory came in June 2025 against Joaquin Buckley at welterweight. Despite the recent struggles, he believes he can still execute at a high level and isn’t ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

What Comes Next for Usman?

Usman remains open to opportunities in both divisions. He acknowledged that he isn’t the biggest welterweight but is willing to take fights wherever they come. The Nigerian fighter expressed frustration over not executing his game plan but remains determined to bounce back.

“I guess this is my time of not being able to execute like I’ve done to most guys,” Usman said. He remains one of the UFC’s most accomplished welterweights, and his next move will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.