Kamaru Usman’s UFC future hangs in the balance following a one-sided defeat to Dricus Du Plessis on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Competing at middleweight, former welterweight champion Usman suffered a disappointing loss with judges scoring the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of Du Plessis.

This match marked a crucial comeback for Du Plessis, who had previously lost a middleweight title fight to Khamzat Chimaev in August. The 32-year-old South African effectively neutralized Usman's wrestling prowess while delivering powerful strikes, leaving the 39-year-old Usman visibly compromised throughout the fight.

In his post-fight press conference, Usman reflected on his performance:

I couldn’t get going. He was big, he was strong, he was rangy. I took kind of a thumb-punch in the eye early on, and that kind of blurred the vision a bit. I was pretty compromised by the ‘thumb-punch’.

Despite his struggles, Usman did not announce his retirement but acknowledged that he has faced challenges in recent fights. He has now lost four out of five bouts, including a narrow defeat to Chimaev and two losses to Leon Edwards.

Looking ahead, Usman stated, "We’ll see where there’s next opportunities at. Opportunities always come up," citing his past willingness to step into fights on short notice.

On the other hand, Du Plessis expressed eagerness to reclaim his title, stating, "I’m back in the winner’s circle, let’s get my belt back." However, his path to a title shot may be complicated, as fan interest in a rematch with Sean Strickland appears low, and the UFC may prioritize other matchups following Strickland's recent title defense against Chimaev.