“Did Chicken Dance Every Single Round” – Kamaru Usman Blaming Judges Against Dricus Du Plessis Sparks Fan Fury

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman opposes judges decision and claims eye poke foul for UFC Oklahoma City loss.

“Did Chicken Dance Every Single Round” – Kamaru Usman Blaming Judges Against Dricus Du Plessis Sparks Fan Fury

Kamaru Usman reacts after losing to Dricus Du Plessis (via MMA Fighting, MMA Mania)

Kamaru Usman remains one of the UFC’s most dominant welterweight champions, building a lasting legacy against top competition. He has also revealed his wish to pursue the middleweight title in pursuit of two-division glory. That ambition was recently hindered by a loss to Dricus Du Plessis. However, Usman appeared unhappy with the judging and officiating after the closely contested fight.

The Nigerian star challenged Du Plessis in the UFC Oklahoma City main event, seeking to revive his middleweight title ambitions. Du Plessis maintained consistent pressure with effective striking, strong cage control, and timely defensive wrestling throughout five rounds. The judges awarded Du Plessis a unanimous decision with scorecards of 50-45 and 49-46 twice, ending Usman’s latest title pursuit.

Du Plessis wobbled Usman multiple times, yet the former champion remained competitive despite being 39. Usman absorbed heavy shots, maintained an impressive pace, and preserved his cardio throughout the demanding five-round contest. Following the fight, Usman spoke with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier inside the Octagon and questioned the wide judges’ scorecards after the unanimous decision loss.

I’m no sore loser, but 50-45? I mean, what were the judges watching? It is what it is. He’s a big boy, and I knew he was going to be tough. I said it all week, he’s a tough dude.

Kamaru Usman via UFC Oklohama City post fight octagon interview

Usman claimed he was poked in the eye during the second round while exchanging with Du Plessis inside the Octagon. Referee Kerry Hatley briefly paused the action before determining the damage came from a legal punch and resumed the fight. Speaking during the post-fight press conference, Usman revealed he believed the early contact compromised his vision for the remainder of the contest.

Despite the controversy, Usman showed he remains capable of competing against the division’s elite. He has battled chronic knee damage and several health setbacks throughout his career. Even with those long-standing issues, the former welterweight champion displayed remarkable durability and cardio across all five rounds.

Du Plessis looked in excellent form despite returning after a difficult setback. The South African superstar lost his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 by getting outwrestled. He bounced back by defeating Usman after identifying the former champion as the ideal comeback opponent.

There was little doubt that Usman entered the fight with significant motivation and clear long-term goals. He openly pursued two-division champion status by targeting the UFC middleweight title. Usman also planned to retire in 2026 after capturing the 185-pound championship and completing his final career objectives.

Despite his issues with the judging at UFC Oklahoma City, Kamaru Usman’s legacy remains untarnished. Dricus Du Plessis, meanwhile, strengthened his case for another UFC middleweight title shot.

RELATED
Dricus Du Plessis Wobbles Ex-Champ Kamaru Usman Multiple Times in Dominant UFC Oklahoma City Main Event Victory

Fans react to Kamaru Usman challenging judges after losing to Dricus Du Plessis

Kamaru Usman faced a difficult challenge against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City, as he struggled to find consistent offense throughout the fight. The former champion absorbed significant damage but showed his trademark durability by surviving five rounds against the South African contender.

Fans criticized Usman’s reaction to the judges’ scorecards after his UFC Oklahoma City loss to Du Plessis. Many argued the decision reflected the overall fight, where Du Plessis controlled the action and caused more damage. The discussion increased after ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ questioned the 50-45 scorecard.

Kamaru Usman talks about his ambitious 2026 plans
Kamaru Usman talks about his ambitious 2026 plans (via X)

Fans also pointed to Usman’s inability to convert exchanges into meaningful offense against Du Plessis. Many noted that the former champion was hurt multiple times and appeared close to being stopped during the contest. Some viewers raised concerns about the damage Usman absorbed and the potential impact on his long-term health.

Usman’s comments continued to draw mixed reactions after UFC Oklahoma City. Fans praised his toughness but believed ‘Stillknocks’ clearly deserved the decision based on the fight’s outcome. The loss has also increased discussions about the welterweight GOAT contender’s future and his next career steps, with some asking him to retire.

Also Read: