Du Plessis beats Usman in unanimous decision UFC Oklahoma

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis reasserted himself as a top contender with a dominant unanimous decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The five-round middleweight bout headlined the promotion's first event in Oklahoma in nine years, held at the Paycom Center.

The judges scored the contest 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of du Plessis, who controlled the action throughout the fight. The 32-year-old South African fighter showcased superior speed, accuracy, and composure from the opening bell, consistently landing a varied array of strikes including leg kicks, right hands, and knees. He stunned Usman on multiple occasions, particularly in the early rounds, and successfully defended nearly all of Usman's takedown attempts. The 39-year-old Usman demonstrated resilience, surviving significant punishment and securing a brief takedown in the third round, but was unable to mount sustained offense until a late surge in the final round.

The victory marked a successful return for du Plessis after an 11-month layoff following his loss to Khamzat Chimaev, which cost...