Kamaru Usman, man. The dude made a daring attempt to recapture some greatness at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City, but he just couldn’t get it done against Du Plessis. Now, Usman’s sitting on a 1-4 record in his last five fights, and with his 40th birthday looming, the whispers about retirement are getting louder than ever.
That Oklahoma City Grind
Look, Saturday night was rough. Usman moved up to middleweight again, trying to change his late-career story, but the size and power difference from Du Plessis was just too much to handle. He ate some massive punches over 25 minutes, staying upright like the champ he is, and even showed flashes of his old self in the final round. But let’s be real, this wasn’t the prime Usman we know. It wasn’t even the guy who gave Khamzat Chimaev trouble on short notice back in October 2023. At 39 years old and having fought only three times in the past three years, it’s not a shock. Adding 15 pounds to his frame made him visibly slower, and we all know how bad those knees are. It’s a heavy burden.
1-4 in Five and Still Competitive?
Even with all the challenges, Usman is still remarkably competitive. He’s gone toe-to-toe in two fights at 185 pounds against former champions like Du Plessis and Chimaev. That’s serious. And let’s not forget his Hall of Fame worthy resume at 170 pounds. But the fight game is brutal; it’s all about results. On paper, that 1-4 record in his last five fights looks grim, especially when you’re almost nine months shy of 40. MMA history shows it usually gets tougher, not easier, from here. After the fight, both Usman and UFC CEO Dana White were hit with questions about what’s next for the “Nigerian Nightmare.” Usman was kinda vague, saying he’d fight at either weight as long as the matchups made sense. White, though, showed big respect, keeping the door wide open for whatever Usman wants to do.
The Only Fight That Makes Sense Right Now
Honestly, there’s only one obvious fight left for Usman, and it’s been brewing for years: Belal Muhammad. Remember that physical altercation from a podcast years ago? We never got the footage, but the word of mouth has been crazy. Now, Muhammad, at 38, is in a tough spot himself. He’s lost his last three fights since becoming UFC champion and desperately needs a W to stay relevant. He’s been calling out Usman forever. This fight, which could’ve been a championship bout once upon a time, now has even higher stakes. If either of these guys loses this one, the retirement calls will be deafening.
This isn’t just another fight; it’s potentially legacy-defining for both. Usman needs to figure out fast if he can still hang with the best, or if this incredible run is finally winding down. Get ready for some fireworks when these two inevitably clash.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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