Kamaru Usman denies apologizing, but points to eye poke as the turning point in his UFC Oklahoma loss.

Kamaru Usman focused on the fight in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Kamaru Usman avoided using the term as an official excuse, but chose an illegal strike from Dricus Du Plessis as the main factor for his defeat at UFC Oklahoma , held last Saturday (11). The former welterweight champion (up to 77 kg) ended up being defeated by the South African by unanimous decision of the judges, after five rounds in which he had difficulties imposing his rhythm in the main fight of the night.

During the post-event press conference, the Nigerian revealed that the fight became complicated right from the start when he suffered an eye poke that significantly impaired his vision.

“It was a little difficult to get going. I took a punch to the eye with my thumb right at the beginning and that kind of blurred my vision a bit, but no excuses. It is what it is,” said Kamaru Usman.

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The former champion explained that the injury hampered his reaction time and his ability to read Du Plessis's strikes. Despite his discomfort with the setback, a result he admitted he was still not used to, the 'Nigerian Nightmare' preferred to emphasize his opponent's stature rather than diminish his rival's merit.

“He’s a big guy. When you start seeing two big guys and he has these weird, long punches. You get a little late getting out of the way of those punches, seeing them. No excuses. It’s hard being on this side (defeated). I’m not used to being on this side. Yeah, it kind of sucks,” concluded the former champion.

Was Dricus Du Plessis's attack on Kamaru Usman valid?

Dricus du Plessis (right) hits Kamaru Usman (left) in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. Photo: Reproduction / UFC

PUBLICITY:

The most controversial moment of the night occurred midway through the second round, when Du Plessis struck the Nigerian's left eye. Usman immediately complained of an eye poke, which led referee Kerry Hatley to stop the fight to allow the regulation recovery time.

However, after reviewing the official replay of the incident, the referee determined that the South African's punch was delivered with a closed fist, although the thumb made direct contact with the eye area. Considering the movement legal and part of a legitimate punch, Hatley reversed his decision to stop the fight and ordered the immediate resumption of the bout.

Kamaru Usman : “Erken raundlarda bir eye-poke yedim ve bu görüşümü biraz bulanıklaştırdı… Ama bahane yok, olan oldu..” pic.twitter.com/tqpeu0u2jp

— Kimura (@kimurasport) July 19, 2026

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