Kamaru Usman Slams Judges After UFC Oklahoma City Loss

**Kamaru Usman** blasted a 50‑45 decision on 23 Jun 2026 after losing to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City, calling the judges’ scoring baffling and leaving his future weight‑class plans open.

What happened in the Oklahoma City main event?

Usman (21‑5) faced former champion Du Plessis (24‑3) in a middleweight bout. Du Plessis landed more significant strikes early and kept Usman at bay, limiting the Nigerian Nightmare’s wrestling. Although Usman rallied in the third and fourth rounds, the judges awarded a unanimous decision to Du Plessis, with scores of 49‑46, 49‑46 and a shocking 50‑45.

Why is the 50‑45 scorecard controversial?

Judge Sal D’Amato’s card gave Du Plessis a perfect round‑by‑round win, despite Usman’s strong finish in the final round and visible success in round three. Usman explained that a thumb‑to‑eye injury in round two impaired his vision, making distance judgment difficult. He questioned, “What were the judges watching?” and noted the injury was deemed legal, so the fight continued.

How does the loss affect Usman's career trajectory?

The defeat marks Usman's second loss at 185 lb after a recent unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley at welterweight. In the post‑fight interview with Daniel Cormier, Usman said dropping back to 170 lb remains an option, signaling a possible return to the division where he previously held the welterweight title.

What are the next steps for Usman?

Usman’s camp will likely assess the eye injury and weigh the benefits of a welterweight comeback versus staying at middleweight. With the UFC calendar filling fast, a rematch or a new opponent could be announced within weeks. Fans will watch closely for any statements from UFC officials or potential match‑making moves.