Dana White: Kamaru Usman 'still got it' despite UFC Oklahoma loss

Dana White shot down retirement talk for Kamaru Usman after the former welterweight champion absorbed five rounds of damage from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City.

Usman, moving up to middleweight, was wobbled repeatedly across 25 minutes at Paycom Center but stayed upright through the final bell. Judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 for Du Plessis, per MMA Mania, though the scorecards appeared generous given how often the South African had Usman in trouble. Du Plessis nearly finished the fight in the opening round and came close several more times before Usman rallied slightly in the fifth.

White addresses Usman's future after middleweight setback

Asked at the post-fight presser whether Usman should hang up the gloves, White waved off the suggestion. "Obviously a great fight, fighting a much bigger guy, and he's got a great chin," White said. "He's still got it. It's not like, 'Oh, Usman's done and he should retire.' He had a great fight tonight." White added that Usman needs to rest and figure out what comes next.

Usman, who removed his gloves in the cage after the decision, told reporters he would be open to staying at middleweight despite the obvious size disadvantage. The Nigerian-born fighter has been largely inactive in recent years, taking nearly two years off following a short-notice loss to Khamzat Chimaev before returning with a win over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025. He then sat out another year before taking the Du Plessis fight.

The loss marks Usman's fourth defeat in his last five outings and raises questions about what realistic matchups remain for the 39-year-old former champion. White did not offer a timeline or opponent for Usman's next appearance.

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• MMA Mania — Dana White responds to Kamaru Usman retirement chatter after UFC Oklahoma City loss: ‘He’s still got it’