UFC is set to return to Oklahoma City tomorrow, Saturday, July 18, 2026, with a main event featuring former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis against former welterweight king Kamaru Usman. The event will take place live on Paramount+ from the Paycom Center, marking the organization’s return to “The Sooner State.”
This matchup is significant for several reasons. It will be the first time fans see Du Plessis compete since he lost his 185-pound title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. For Usman, this fight represents his first middleweight bout with a full training camp. He previously stepped in on short notice at UFC 294 to fight Chimaev at 185 pounds, where he lost by majority decision.
Both fighters successfully made weight on Friday, hitting the 186-pound benchmark during early morning weigh-ins. The ceremonial weigh-ins are scheduled to stream live and free later tonight, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
Du Plessis’s Return After Title Loss
Dricus du Plessis, who has only three losses in his 26-fight career, is entering this fight following a defeat for the first time in a dozen bouts. He lost his UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago last summer. After an extended period away from the Octagon, the 32-year-old South African is eager to return to action.
Du Plessis expressed his devastation over losing his belt, stating he is not accustomed to losing. He and his team conducted a thorough review of what went wrong, with each member taking full responsibility. He emphasized the importance of honesty and accountability in diagnosing the issues from the previous fight.
He believes this loss, though difficult, is a blessing in disguise for his long-term goal of becoming the greatest martial artist. He stated that any weaknesses in his game were exposed, allowing him to address them now rather than later. This perspective highlights his commitment to continuous improvement.
Initially, Du Plessis did not plan for such a long layoff. He returned to the gym weeks after the fight with Chimaev to begin recovery and address minor injuries. He traveled to Thailand in January to intensify his training and was scheduled to compete in April, but an injury forced another pause. This additional downtime allowed him to further reflect on the importance of listening to his body and being strategic with his fight schedule.
He noted that while fighting frequently has its merits, it’s also crucial to fight the right opponents and make each bout count. He cited examples of fighters who have fought frequently and experienced burnout, suggesting a more measured approach to his own career moving forward. This fight against Usman is his first of 2026, aligning with his strategy of being selective with his activity.
Usman’s Middleweight Ambitions
Kamaru Usman is making his first appearance at middleweight with a full training camp, aiming to establish himself in the 185-pound title picture. His previous middleweight outing was a short-notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, where he pushed the wrestler to a majority decision. Following that, he returned to welterweight last year, securing a decision win over Joaquin Buckley, which ended a three-fight losing streak.
Usman, known for his elite jab and strong top control, possesses skills that could neutralize Du Plessis’s aggressive striking. This fight is seen as a clash of styles, with Usman’s veteran experience and grappling potentially countering Du Plessis’s raw power and forward pressure. The market indicates a 31% chance of an outright victory for Usman, with a 25% chance of a KO/TKO win.
The former welterweight champion faces a physical challenge against the naturally larger and durable Du Plessis. There is a strong correlation between Usman’s defensive wrestling effectiveness and the fight extending beyond 4.5 rounds, with a 62% chance of this outcome. This suggests that Usman’s strategy might involve a grinding fight to wear down his opponent.
Du Plessis expressed respect for Usman, acknowledging him as a legend in the sport. The upcoming bout is anticipated to be an interesting clash that will have significant implications for the middleweight division. Both fighters are looking to prove themselves in this high-stakes encounter.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
