“This Is Going to Feed Families”: Fans Erupt as DDP vs. Kamaru Usman Announced for UFC Oklahoma City
Kamaru Usman moves up in weight to face Dricus Du Plessis in a battle of former champions after ending a losing skid, UFC said.
- On July 18, the UFC returns to Oklahoma City for the first time in nine years, hosting UFC Fight Night 281 at the Paycom Arena with former champions Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman headlining.
- Du Plessis seeks redemption after losing his middleweight belt to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025, marking the 32-year-old South African's first UFC defeat.
- Opponent Usman, nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," moves up to middleweight following his recent victory over Joaquin Buckley, seeking one final championship run at age 39.
- This "Battle of Africa" marks only the second time two African fighters headline the main event, with Jared Cannonier facing Christian Leroy Duncan and Kevin Holland fighting Jacobe Smith on the undercard.
- Victory would immediately place Du Plessis back among the division's elite, while Usman pursues middleweight success in what both fighters view as a final run at championship glory.
11 Articles
11 Articles
CONFIRMED | Dricus du Plessis to fight 'The Nigerian Nightmare' Kamaru Usman in July
South Africa’s former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will return to the octagon on Saturday, 18 July when he takes on former welterweight king Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City. The bout marks a crucial moment in Du Plessis’ career as he looks to rebound from the first UFC defeat of his professional career. Lost last octagon fight Dricus du Plessis has not fought since losing the middleweight tit…
“This Is Going to Feed Families”: Fans Erupt as DDP vs. Kamaru Usman Announced for UFC Oklahoma City
For a while, the anticipated showdown between Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman remained nothing more than speculation in the UFC community. But not anymore! During the live broadcast of UFC Vegas 119 tonight, the commentators confirmed that both former champions will headline the UFC Oklahoma City Fight Night card. The event is currently scheduled for July 18th, with Usman moving up to the middleweight division to face Du Plessis. The South Af…
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Set for UFC Oklahoma City
The UFC has surprised fans with a blockbuster middleweight matchup: Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman. That literally came out of the blue. The officials have confirmed that it is scheduled to take place on 18th July at the Paycom Centre, headlining the UFC Oklahama City event. Both fighter’s have one thing in common – they are former champions. A BANGER MAIN EVENT FOR OKC 🤩 Kamaru Usman vs Dricus Du Plessis is SET for five rounds at middlewei…
Adesanya’s Conqueror Dricus Du Plessis Set for Kamaru Usman Showdown as Former UFC Champions Headline Oklahoma City Fight Night
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will face former welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman in the headline bout of UFC Fight Night scheduled for July 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The UFC officially announced the clash during the UFC Fight Night broadcast featuring Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi, confirming a high-profile showdown between two of the promotion’s most accomplished former champions. Read Also: Nigeria’s Femal…
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