Dricus Du Plessis defeats Kamaru Usman in UFC Oklahoma City main event
A middleweight bout between former champion Dricis Du Plessis and former welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman headlined Saturday's UFC Oklahoma City fight card.
Du Plessis entered the match ranked No. 2 in the division looking to get back in the win column after losing the championship in his previous bout. Usman last fought in June 2025. He moved up to the middleweight division in an effort to make a run at a second UFC division title. A win over the former champion could lead to that opportunity.
Du Plessis took the center of the cage and inched forward. Usman circled on the outside. Du Plessis delivered a leg kick. Usman opted to go to the body with a right hand. Du Plessis connected with a right hand. He connected with another one that got Usman's attention. Du Plessis found the range in the first half of the round. Du Plessis' right hand continued to land. Usman responded with a right but Du Plessis answered with a stiff jab. Usman stepped in the pocket with a right hand. Usman clinched and delivered punches to the body. Du Plessis got hit low and they were separated by the referee. They exchanged jabs and kicks to the body late in the frame. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
The pace started slower in the second. Usman closed the distance and was met with a knee that hurt him. Du Plessis unloaded a combination. Usman inched forwasrd and ate another knee. He looked to get the fight to the ground. Du Plessis circled free. Usman connected with a right hand. Du Plessis answered with a knee. Du Plessis landed a counter right hand. Usman thought he was poked. The replay shoed it was a punch. The referee resumed the fight. They exchanged. A right hand caused Usman to stumble to the canvas. He quickly got to his feet. Du Plessis defended a takedown attempt. Usman absorbed some heavy shots. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
Usman inched forward but was met with a leg kick. They stood in front of each other looking for an opening. Usman continued to got to the body with punches. Du Plessis partially landed a head kick. Midway through the fight, Usman connected with a right hand. Du Plessis responded with a powerful kick to the body. Usman briefly took Du Plessis down but couldn't keep him there. That was Usman's best round but MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for Du Plessis.
They touched gloves to start the fourth. Du Plessis switched stances and pressed forward. Usman picked up his output. He landed a right hand. Du Plessis fired off a question mark kick. Usman blocked it. The pace slowed through the middle of the round. Du Plessis landed to the body with a kick. Usman returned the favor. Usman connected with a clean right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Usman.
Du Plessis tried a jumping knee to start the final frame but came up short. Usman utilized teep kicks. Du Plessis moved forward behind his jab. He connected with a combination. Du Plessis landed a low blow. Usman was given time to recover and the action restarted.
Du Plessis went high with a kick. It was blocked but it hurt Usman. Usman fired back and circled away. Du Plessis looked for a takedown. Usman stuffed it and landed on the break. Usman connected with a right hand. Du Plessis' output declined. Usman connected with a hard right hand. Usmasn went on the attempt. He landed a combination. Du Plessis retreated. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Usman.
The judges scored the fight for Du Plessis via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.
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This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 8:12 PM.