Dricus Du Plessis batters Kamaru Usman, Dricus du Plessis reminded the MMA world why he remains one of the UFC’s elite middleweights, grinding out a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over former welterweight Kamaru Usman
Fresh off the drama of UFC 329, the UFC returned to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, for an action-packed UFC Fight Night event at the Paycom Center, where former champions Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman squared off in a highly anticipated middleweight main event. The card featured a blend of established stars and rising contenders, drawing the attention of fight fans around the world.
Dricus du Plessis entered the fight following the first defeat of his UFC career. The South African lost the UFC middleweight championship to Khamzat Chimaev, ending an eight-year unbeaten run and his reign atop the division. The loss served as a major setback, but it also reignited Du Plessis’ determination to reclaim the title. Before that defeat, Du Plessis had enjoyed an outstanding run, defeating some of the biggest names in the division. He successfully defended his title against Sean Strickland by unanimous decision at UFC 312 after capturing the belt with a split decision victory over Strickland in their first meeting. He also submitted former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, further cementing his place among the middleweight elite.
Kamaru Usman arrived in Oklahoma City with renewed confidence after ending a difficult stretch in his career. In his most recent outing, the former welterweight champion earned a dominant unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley, securing his first win in nearly four years. The performance reminded fans why Usman is regarded as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history. Prior to that victory, Usman endured several setbacks against elite competition. He narrowly lost a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev after accepting the fight on short notice and had previously suffered consecutive defeats to Leon Edwards, including the loss of his welterweight title. Despite those setbacks, Usman remained one of the UFC’s most respected competitors.
As the fight started, the fighters touched gloves, and Du Plessis immediately took control of the center of the Octagon. He opened with a kick, landed a counter left, and followed up with a leg kick and a left high kick. Usman feinted a takedown but couldn’t find his rhythm early, eating a jab before missing an overhand right. Du Plessis then landed a heavy right hand that briefly wobbled Usman and continued to dictate the range with sharp combinations and an uppercut. Usman managed to clinch and pin Du Plessis against the fence before an accidental low blow forced a brief pause. When the action resumed, Du Plessis finished the round with another left high kick.
Round two began and Usman opened with an overhand right that missed, allowing Du Plessis to take over with two left high kicks and a crushing standing knee that visibly hurt the former champion and Du Plessis continued to pile on the pressure. Usman attempted a takedown but was stuffed before Du Plessis escaped and answered with more combinations and knees. After Usman complained of an eye poke that replay showed was actually a clean punch, the action resumed, and Du Plessis opened a cut near Usman’s eye before ending the round with another hard right hand.
Du Plessis started the third round with a body kick, while Usman answered with a front kick and a clean left hand. The two exchanged kicks and body shots, but Du Plessis continued to find success with his left high kick and perfectly timed knees. Usman eventually secured his first takedown of the fight, but Du Plessis quickly returned to his feet and resumed the attack. Usman rallied late in the round with effective front kicks, but Du Plessis still appeared to do enough to edge it.
Round 4 started and Usman came out aggressively and looked to push the pace, but Du Plessis remained composed, slipping shots and answering with another damaging left high kick. He followed it up with a sharp combination and a huge right hand that forced Usman to look for a takedown. As the round wore on, Du Plessis continued to bully Usman around the Octagon with cleaner, more powerful strikes. Usman landed a nice combination late, but Du Plessis closed the frame with yet another left high kick.
Both men touched gloves before the final round. Du Plessis missed with a flying knee, while Usman responded with combinations and level changes. A brief pause followed after an accidental groin strike, but Usman quickly resumed the action. Du Plessis landed a barrage of right high kicks and looked close to a finish, but Usman survived and fought back with renewed urgency. He defended a late takedown, pushed Du Plessis to the fence, and landed several hard punches before the final horn.
After five hard-fought rounds, the judges awarded Dricus du Plessis a unanimous decision victory, extending his impressive run at middleweight and proving he remains a serious threat in the title picture. For Kamaru Usman, the defeat was a tough setback, but his toughness and determination once again reminded fans why he is regarded as one of the greatest champions in UFC history. “I’m back in the winner’s circle. Let’s get my belt back,” du Plessis said.
