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Du Plessis Beats Usman, Earns Title Shot vs Strickland

7/19/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Dricus du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision at Fight Night in Oklahoma City Saturday.
Judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 for Dricus du Plessis.
Dricus du Plessis improved to 24-3 and stayed No. 2-ranked middleweight.
Dricus du Plessis said the win earns a title shot and trilogy.
The victory positions Dricus du Plessis for a title bout against Sean Strickland, whom Dricus du Plessis has beaten twice.

History

Historical Context

In November 1993, Art Davie and Rorion Gracie created UFC 1, an eight-man tournament that sold 86,592 pay-per-view buys and crowned Royce Gracie champion. The show introduced the octagon and proved Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s effectiveness, shaping early matchmaking. In 2024, Dricus du Plessis’s 50-45 win over Kamaru Usman earned a title bout with Sean Strickland, mirroring how breakthrough victories still set championship trajectories.

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Story summary

Dricus du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision at Fight Night in Oklahoma City Saturday.
Judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 for Dricus du Plessis.
Dricus du Plessis improved to 24-3 and stayed No. 2-ranked middleweight.
Dricus du Plessis said the win earns a title shot and trilogy.
The victory positions Dricus du Plessis for a title bout against Sean Strickland, whom Dricus du Plessis has beaten twice.

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