According to insider Kevin K., a middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is currently in negotiation stages and could take place in July. This development follows recent social media exchanges between Du Plessis and Caio Borralho, where the champion challenged Borralho to come spar at his gym in South Africa. If the Usman fight materializes, it raises questions about Borralho's next opponent, as the Brazilian has been actively campaigning for a title shot. The potential matchup would see former welterweight champion Usman moving up to challenge for the middleweight belt.
Negotiations are reportedly underway for a middleweight title fight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, with a potential July date being discussed, according to insider Kevin K. The report has not been officially confirmed.
Du Plessis, 32, carries a 23-3-0 record and currently sits at number two in the middleweight division, with a pound-for-pound ranking of seventh. The South African fights out of Team CIT and operates from a switch stance, standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also adding a grappling threat with 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Usman, 39, holds a 21-4-0 record and is ranked eighth at welterweight, where he built his legacy as a dominant champion. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, the American-based Nigerian lands 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat even as he looks to move up a weight class. The potential bout would represent a significant step up in division for Usman.
The reported negotiation also carries implications for Caio Borralho, ranked fourth at middleweight with an 18-2-0 record. The 33-year-old Brazilian southpaw has been publicly lobbying for a title shot and recently found himself in a social media back-and-forth with Du Plessis, who issued a sparring invitation directed at Borralho. If Usman secures the title fight, Borralho's path to a championship opportunity becomes less clear.
Why it matters
- A Du Plessis vs. Usman booking would be a cross-divisional title challenge, a rare and high-profile event at 185 pounds
- Usman's decorated wrestling pedigree would test Du Plessis across multiple dimensions
- Borralho, the fourth-ranked contender, could be left without a clear next step if Usman jumps the queue
- The outcome of negotiations will effectively shape the middleweight title picture for the remainder of 2026
