Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Set For UFC Oklahoma City

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis will face former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night Oklahoma City on July 18, setting up a fascinating clash between two African MMA superstars.

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The fight immediately becomes one of the biggest non-title bouts on the UFC calendar and could have major implications for both the middleweight and welterweight divisions.

For South African fans, it also marks another landmark moment in the career of Dricus du Plessis, who continues to headline some of the biggest events in the sport.

Africa’s Biggest MMA Rivalry

Few matchups have generated as much discussion among African MMA fans as a potential meeting between Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman.

The rivalry dates back several years, with both men previously exchanging words regarding who truly represents African mixed martial arts on the global stage.

Du Plessis famously sparked controversy when he claimed he would become the first champion to bring a UFC title back to Africa while living and training on the continent. The comments drew criticism from several African-born UFC champions, including Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, who felt their own African heritage was being questioned.

The tension eventually led to one of the biggest fights in African MMA history when Du Plessis faced Adesanya at UFC 305. In one of the most anticipated middleweight title fights in recent memory, the South African submitted Adesanya in the fourth round to retain his championship and settle their heated rivalry inside the Octagon.

While Du Plessis and Adesanya buried the hatchet after the fight, the broader debate surrounding African MMA never completely disappeared.

Now, with Usman standing across from him in Oklahoma City, Du Plessis has another opportunity to defeat a former African UFC champion and further cement his place as the leading figure in African mixed martial arts.

A Huge Opportunity For Du Plessis

For Du Plessis, the fight represents an opportunity to immediately re-establish himself as one of the leading contenders in the UFC.

The South African has already defeated some of the biggest names in the middleweight division during his rise to the championship and remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.

Known for his relentless pressure, awkward striking and exceptional durability, Du Plessis has built a reputation for finding ways to win even when opponents appear to be gaining momentum.

A victory over a fighter of Usman’s stature would add another huge name to his résumé.

Can Usman Roll Back The Years?

Kamaru Usman enters the fight as one of the most accomplished welterweights in UFC history.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” enjoyed one of the greatest championship reigns the division has ever seen, successfully defending the welterweight title five times and defeating elite opponents such as Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal.

Even as he enters the latter stages of his career, Usman remains an incredibly difficult matchup.

His elite wrestling, physical strength and championship experience have long made him one of the UFC’s most complete fighters.

The biggest question is whether he can handle the size and pressure of a natural middleweight in Du Plessis.