Kamaru Usman has admitted he will be far more careful about what makes it into his public content going forward.
The former UFC welterweight champion recently issued a public apology to boxing star Anthony Joshua after a private conversation between the two appeared in one of Usman’s YouTube vlogs. The clip showed Usman speaking with Joshua about a deeply personal tragedy. Joshua was involved in a car accident in December that claimed the lives of two close friends and coaches.
The footage quickly went viral, sparking backlash online. Soon after, Kamaru Usman took to social media to accept full responsibility for allowing the conversation to be shared publicly.
“After seeing what’s being written, it’s quite heartbreaking,” Usman wrote. “Being on camera that whole day in preparation for The AKO show, it completely slipped my mind that my conversation was recorded. I realized after and asked about it. I take full responsibility for not properly watching the video that was released and keeping my private conversation with my brother AJ private. Big L on me. That’s not something I would ever do to a friend or brother.”
Usman later expanded on the situation during an episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, explaining why he felt compelled to issue a rare public apology.
“It was a tough enough situation to where I had to make a public apology, which I’ve never done, ever,” Kamaru Usman said. “But it was necessary. As a man, you have to take responsibility when you mess up, whether it was accidental or not. You have to take full responsibility, and I did.”
Usman admitted he was frustrated with himself for not reviewing the vlog thoroughly before it went live, stressing that the final responsibility always rests with him.
“That was an oversight on my part,” Usman said. “Anything that goes out on my channel, I’m ultimately responsible for. I was angry that I missed that.”
More than the criticism aimed at him, Kamaru Usman said what hurt most was seeing Anthony Joshua dragged into public scrutiny during a vulnerable moment.
“I was angry because I put my Nigerian brother AJ in another situation,” Usman said. “People were judging him, asking why he seemed a certain way. Most importantly, I was angry at myself for even giving anyone the lane to attack him like that.”
Usman made it clear he does not blame his video team and reiterated that the mistake was his alone.
“I take full responsibility. I can’t apologize enough,” he added. “I feel terrible, and I’m still feeling terrible because that’s my character. That’s something I don’t play with.”
Anthony Joshua later released a brief statement honoring his fallen friends but has otherwise remained largely silent on the incident. Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman continues to push forward, both personally and professionally, as he eyes his next move inside the octagon.
For Kamaru Usman, the episode has served as a painful reminder that even unintentional mistakes carry weight and accountability comes first.
