Story perspectives

Du Plessis Beats Usman 50-45, Dominates Middleweight Division

7/19/2026

Summary

Du Plessis Wins

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) on July 18, 2026.
The fight took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Du Plessis opened with low kicks, sharp jabs and a right hook that hurt Usman early.
He later defended a takedown attempt, continued striking with elbows, high kicks, a left knee and southpaw jabs, securing dominance in the middleweight division.

Summary

Paramount+ Secures UFC

Paramount+ secured exclusive streaming rights for all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights through 2033, ending pay-per-view.
Subscribers can watch the du Plessis-Usman fight live at no extra cost with plans from $8.99/month or $89.99/year.
Premium and Essential tiers give on-demand access to over 40,000 episodes and bundle sports such as NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League (UCL), March Madness and the Big Ten, streaming on over a dozen devices.

Summary

Du Plessis Favored

DraftKings lists du Plessis at -205, Usman at +170, and 3.5-round over/under at -215 (under) and +165 (over).
Du Plessis (32) is 23-3 with nine knockouts, eleven submissions, three decisions and UFC, EFC, KSW titles.
Usman (39) is 21-4, has a 15-fight win streak, 97.3 % takedown defense and five welterweight titles as he moves up.
Analyst Kyle Marley, whose UFC picks have generated over $21,000 since May 2018, backs du Plessis to win.

Summary

Cannonier Fights

Jared Cannonier fights Christian Leroy Duncan as age is a concern.
Chase Hooper missed weight by 1.5 lb and will face Mitch Ramirez over the limit.
Tabatha Ricci, a top-15 strawweight, meets three-win-streak Fatima Kline.
Tommy McMillen trains with champion Sean O’Malley while opponent Alberto Montes specializes in choke submissions.
Du Plessis and Usman debut in 2026, Usman beat Joaquin Buckley June 2025 while du Plessis lost to Khamzat Chimaev August 2025.

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Du Plessis Wins

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) on July 18, 2026.
The fight took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Du Plessis opened with low kicks, sharp jabs and a right hook that hurt Usman early.
He later defended a takedown attempt, continued striking with elbows, high kicks, a left knee and southpaw jabs, securing dominance in the middleweight division.

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