Former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg), Dricus du Plessis recovered well at UFC Oklahoma City. In the main event held this Saturday (18), the South African faced Kamaru Usman and prevailed in the octagon. After 25 minutes of action, the athlete easily defeated the Nigerian, former welterweight king (up to 77,1 kg), by unanimous decision.
Excited by the victory, Du Plessis guaranteed that he is ready to reclaim the category's belt, currently held by Sean Strickland . It's worth noting that the South African has already defeated the American twice. Meanwhile, Usman, 39, didn't hide his disappointment with the tough loss, but made it clear that he will not retire from MMA.
See too
Dricus du Plessis , 32, is one of the best middleweight fighters in MMA history. The South African began his career in the sport in 2013, debuted in the UFC in 2020, and became the champion of the category in 2024, making two title defenses.
In this discipline, the athlete built a record of 24 wins, 20 by stoppage (11 by submission and nine by knockout), and three losses. His main victories were over Darren Till , Derek Brunson , Israel Adesanya , Kamaru Usman , Robert Whittaker , and Sean Strickland (twice).
South Africa dominates Nigeria.
Dricus du Plessis (right) hits Kamaru Usman (left) in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. Photo: Reproduction / UFC
Dricus started the fight more aggressively and effectively, landing jabs, straight punches, and kicks on Usman. Cautious, Usman waited for the right moment to attack Dricus. Powerful, Dricus landed a powerful straight punch on Usman, who responded with a cross. More aggressive, Dricus landed a series of straight punches on Usman. In turn, Usman landed jabs on Dricus. In addition to the straight punches, Dricus also bothered Usman with low kicks.
Gradually, Usman tried to even the score and landed a straight punch and an uppercut on Dricus. Usman also attempted a takedown, but was unsuccessful. At the end of the round, Dricus tried to surprise Usman with a high kick. In turn, Usman landed a kick to Dricus's midsection.
In the second round, Dricus stunned Usman with a knee strike. Then, Dricus landed a powerful straight punch on Usman. Again, Dricus hurt Usman with a knee to the midsection. Dominating the octagon, Dricus punished Usman with straight punches, crosses, and another knee strike. At a disadvantage, Usman tried to clinch with Dricus, but was unsuccessful. Again, Dricus landed a beautiful sequence of punches on Usman.
More precise than ever, Dricus hurt Usman with straight punches. Seeing Usman shaken, Dricus attacked with everything he had and knocked him down with a jab. Focused, Dricus stayed on top of Usman and landed another beautiful knee strike. At the end of the second round, Usman, even bleeding, posed a threat by landing a cross on Dricus.
In the third round, Dricus continued to punish Usman with jabs and straight punches. Injured, Usman gradually gained confidence and scored with straight punches and kicks to Dricus's midsection. In turn, Dricus also threw kicks at Usman, in addition to jabs and straight punches. In the final stretch, Usman tried to confuse Dricus and threatened a takedown, but failed. Alert, Dricus didn't fall into Usman's trap and landed some good punches. In the final seconds, Usman took Dricus down, but couldn't control him on the ground.
In the fourth round, the former champions didn't slow down and continued exchanging blows with everything they had. Again, Usman attempted a takedown, but was unsuccessful. Dricus responded with a high kick. In the striking exchanges, the pair traded kicks. Dricus even staggered Usman with one of them. Confident, Dricus created danger by landing a straight right and a high kick on Usman. Then, Dricus landed another powerful straight right on Usman, who refused to fall.
Tenacious, Usman landed a beautiful cross on Dricus. There was still time for Dricus to land some good kicks and straight punches on Usman. In response, Usman launched a powerful straight punch that exploded on Dricus's face. The fifth and final round also saw Dricus in the lead. Dricus rocked Usman more than once with his high kicks, but couldn't get the knockout. In the final stretch, Usman, even injured, went for broke and landed a powerful sequence of punches on Dricus, who, aware of his advantage in the fight, only defended himself.
Dricus du Plessis (right) hits Kamaru Usman (left) in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. Photo: Reproduction / UFC
Results from UFC Oklahoma City
MAIN CARD
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Chase Hooper defeated Mitch Ramirez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:15 of round 1.
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Fatima Kline defeated Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Tommy McMillen defeated Alberto Montes by technical knockout (punches) at 3:29 of round 3.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Jose Miguel Delgado defeated Austin Bashi by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani defeated Seok Hyeon Ko by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Felipe Negão defeated Levi Rodrigues Jr. by technical knockout (punches) at 1:40 of round 2.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Ezra Elliott defeated Damien Anderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alden Coria defeated Stewart Nicoll by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): RJ Harris defeated Alvin Hines by technical knockout (punches) at 1:40 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Dione Barbosa defeated Anna Melisano by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of round 1.
Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.
Comments