Full Breakdown
Dricus du Plessis Defeats Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City
7/19/2026, 12:39:23 PM
Core Event
On Saturday, July 18 2026, the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City hosted UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs. Usman. The middleweight main event featured South African champion Dricus du Plessis (24-3) against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-5). After five rounds, du Plessis earned a unanimous decision victory (50-45, 49-46, 49-46). The bout was streamed live on Paramount+.
Background & Context
Du Plessis entered the fight after losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025. He had rebounded with nine straight UFC wins, including two victories over Sean Strickland and a decision loss to Chimaev. Usman, a former welterweight champion who held the belt from March 2019 to August 2022, moved up to middleweight in 2025. His only middleweight bout prior to this was the loss to Chimaev; he broke a three-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025.
Key Figures
- Dricus du Plessis – former UFC middleweight champion, former Extreme Fighting Championship welterweight and middleweight champion, former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki welterweight champion. Career record: 23-3 (nine KO, 11 submissions, three decisions). Holds wins over former champions Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland.
- Kamaru Usman – former UFC welterweight champion, first Nigerian-born UFC champion. Career record: 21-4 (nine KO, one submission, 11 decisions). Holds a 15-fight welterweight winning streak and a 97.3 % takedown-defense rate.
Data & Statistics
- Betting odds (DraftKings): du Plessis –205, Usman +170.
- Over/under rounds: 3.5 (-215/ +165).
- Career totals: du Plessis 23-3; Usman 21-4.
- Striking: du Plessis landed more significant strikes per round; Usman recorded a single successful takedown attempt, which was defended.
Why It Matters
The win positions du Plessis as a top contender for a future middleweight title bout, potentially against current champion Sean Strickland. For Usman, the loss deepens questions about his viability as a two-division champion and may affect his pursuit of another title opportunity.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts highlighted Usman’s age (39) and reduced gas tank as disadvantages against the younger, larger du Plessis. One commentator noted du Plessis “has significantly more tools on the feet” and “appears much larger,” suggesting the fight favored the South African. Others argued that Usman’s elite wrestling could still pose a threat, but consensus pointed to du Plessis’ physicality as the decisive factor.
On-the-Ground Report
Du Plessis established early rhythm with low kicks and a sharp jab, soon landing a right hand that rocked Usman. Throughout the fight he mixed southpaw jabs, a hard left knee, and a high kick, maintaining pressure while thwarting Usman’s takedown attempts. Usman managed a body jab and a brief clinch but was unable to alter the pace, ultimately absorbing a high volume of strikes before the final bell.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the unanimous-decision outcome; no discrepancies were identified regarding the result or fight details.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The blessing in this is — my goal is to be the greatest martial artist ever, being seen as the greatest fighter to ever walk this Earth, and you can’t have a hole in your game if you want to be that,” — Dricus du Plessis, UFC.com interview
- “I'm not necessarily here just to fight,” — Kamaru Usman, UFC.com interview
- “DDP” found his rhythm early.” — MMAMania fight recap
- “Melisano is making her UFC debut here, and she looks like a decent offensive striker,” — Kyle Marley, analyst comment
- “She does have defensive issues though, and Barbosa should have a clear grappling edge.” — Kyle Marley, analyst comment
What’s Next
With the victory, du Plessis is expected to be slated for a title eliminator against Sean Strickland, the current middleweight champion, according to pre-fight speculation. Usman’s next move remains uncertain, with his future in the division under discussion among UFC officials.
