Kamaru Usman is making a transfer again as much as the UFC middleweight division. The previous welterweight champion will tackle Dricus du Plessis on July 18, in the primary occasion of UFC Oklahoma Metropolis Reside From Paycom Middle. This bout was introduced throughout the UFC Vegas 119 dwell broadcast earlier tonight.
Dricus du Plessis’ final fought at UFC 319, the place he was ragdolled for 5 rounds and dethroned by Khamzat Chimaev with ease. Kamaru Usman, however, final fought knockout artist Joaquin Buckley in 2025 and cruised to a dominant unanimous choice victory.
Usman needed to combat the pound-for-pound king and reigning welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, subsequent. “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” plan was to get the 170-pound strap again in his possession after which transfer as much as 185 kilos to realize 2-division glory in 2026. Even Makhachev, who considers Usman his hardest problem, had proven curiosity within the matchup. Nonetheless, the UFC had different plans. Islam Makhachev will now defend his title in opposition to Ian Machado Garry in the primary occasion of UFC 330.
Kamaru Usman, however, will tackle former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma Metropolis on July 18, as talked about above.
Why the Kamaru Usman bout is admittedly essential for Dricus du Plessis?
Firstly, the Kamaru Usman vs. Du Plessis bout could possibly be a serious turning level for each fighters, because the winner would put his title within the combine for a middleweight title shot doubtlessly later this yr or early subsequent yr.
At 39, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is operating out of time and has to rush to make one other championship push. In the meantime, “Stilknocks” can be desperate to work his method again as much as the highest and earn a title shot whereas Sean Strickland continues to be the UFC middleweight champion. Followers have already witnessed that “Tarzan” is a simple sport for the South African. He has dethroned Strickland earlier than, defeated him in a title rematch, and would gladly do it a 3rd time.
If Du Plessis desires to change into a two-time UFC middleweight champion, he stands a greater probability of doing it earlier than the belt modifications arms and goes again to Chimaev or is captured by prime contender Nassourdine Imavov.
For Du Plessis, the bout in opposition to Kamaru Usman can be a chance to showcase how a lot his takedown protection and general grappling have advanced following his title loss to “Borz.”
