Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman has now lost four of his last five fights after suffering a dominant unanimous decision defeat to South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City, United States.
Du Plessis produced a commanding display over five rounds on Saturday night, earning scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 from the judges to secure victory in the main event.
The South African, competing for the first time since August 2025 after losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev, controlled the contest from the opening bell with his trademark awkward but effective style.
Using a combination of sharp jabs, damaging calf kicks and his signature question-mark kick, Du Plessis repeatedly unsettled Usman and established his dominance early in the fight.
The opening round belonged entirely to the South African as he repeatedly snapped Usman’s head back with stiff jabs, attacked his lead leg and landed a clean right hand to the temple that briefly left the former champion on unsteady legs.
Du Plessis maintained his control throughout the contest to return to winning ways after surrendering the UFC middleweight championship last August.
The victory improved the 32-year-old’s professional record to 24-3, having won his first nine UFC fights before losing the title to Chimaev.
With the victory, the No. 2-ranked middleweight contender is expected to strengthen his case for another shot at current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
For Usman, however, the defeat continues a difficult spell that has seen him struggle to replicate the form that once established him as one of the UFC’s most dominant champions.
The 39-year-old, who successfully defended the UFC welterweight title five times during a reign that lasted more than two years, now holds a 21-5 professional record.
His latest defeat means he has lost four of his last five fights, with his only victory during that stretch coming against Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in June 2025.
His recent run also includes consecutive defeats to Leon Edwards in 2022 and 2023, a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, and Saturday’s unanimous decision defeat to Du Plessis.
The latest setback also leaves Usman winless in two appearances at middleweight as uncertainty continues over his future in the division and the next step in his UFC career.