Usman Fires Back at Du Plessis After Being Called Scared

Kamaru Usman has fired back at Dricus du Plessis after the middleweight contender publicly accused him of being scared to fight, with Usman pointing to his track record of accepting short-notice matchups as evidence of his competitive willingness.

Du Plessis, 32, is currently ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh in the pound-for-pound standings. The South African carries a professional record of 23-3-0 and has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the division, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also adding a wrestling dimension that produces 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. His reach measures a 76-inch, or 193 cm, and he operates out of a switch stance.

Usman responded by citing his history of stepping in on short notice against two of the sport's most formidable competitors. Khamzat Chimaev, 32 and ranked first at middleweight, carries a 15-1-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the world, landing strikes at 60 percent accuracy while averaging an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old veteran from the United States who fights out of American Top Team, holds a 35-17-0 record and has long been considered elite-level opposition. Usman's willingness to face both men on short notice forms the core of his rebuttal to du Plessis's accusations.

Usman added that anyone who doubts his courage is welcome to share the cage with him.

Why it matters

• Du Plessis is ranked second at middleweight, making any future matchup with Usman a high-stakes divisional encounter.
• Chimaev holds the top middleweight ranking, underlining the caliber of opponent Usman cited in his defense.
• The public back-and-forth raises the possibility of a future booking between Usman and du Plessis if the war of words continues to escalate.