Ex-UFC Champion Kamaru Usman Apologises After Private FaceTime Call With Anthony Joshua Is Shared Online

Anthony Joshua and Kamaru Usman

Anthony Joshua and Kamaru Usman in a heartfelt moment

Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight titleholder, has issued a public apology after an intimate FaceTime discussion with ex-heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was unexpectedly shared online.

The leaked footage, which surfaced in a YouTube video posted by Usman, captured a raw and emotional dialogue between the two sports icons following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that took the lives of two individuals close to Joshua.

The exchange occurred on December 30, while Joshua was recuperating from injuries sustained in the crash, just before an MMA event in Lagos.

Joshua survived the December 29 collision on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which tragically claimed the lives of his associates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Rescued from the wreckage, Joshua was transported to Duchess International Hospital for urgent medical care. The video reveals the boxer lying in a hospital bed, visibly bandaged, as he confides in Usman about the emotional toll of the incident. He confessed that the full weight of the tragedy had yet to fully dawn on him.

In the recorded call, Usman inquired about the seating positions in the Lexus during the accident.

Joshua responded, “One was in front, the other behind him, on the right. Both didn’t make it. It still doesn’t feel real. I haven’t processed it yet.”

“I’m sorry, man. You had everyone worried—seriously,” Usman replied.

“Life’s fragile, man. And now, here we are, finally talking,” Joshua reflected.

“Yeah, it’s wild how things unfold. But we’re grateful,” Usman said.

“You really had people on edge. It’s ironic—we deal with so much negativity, but moments like this show how many genuinely care,” Usman added.

The video’s release drew widespread criticism, with many condemning the breach of privacy. Addressing the backlash on Instagram, Usman acknowledged his oversight and expressed regret for the unintended exposure.

He stated, “Reading the reactions, I’m truly devastated. With cameras rolling all day for The AKO Show, I didn’t realize the call was recorded.

“I only noticed afterward and questioned it. I own this mistake—I should’ve reviewed the footage before it went live. This wasn’t how I’d ever treat a brother like AJ.”