Usman fires back at Du Plessis over 'scared' claims, points to short-notice Chimaev fight

Kamaru Usman hit back at middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis on Tuesday, pushing back hard against the South African's suggestion that Usman had been reluctant to fight.

Usman, the former welterweight champion who carries a 21-4 record and currently sits ranked eighth in the division at 39 years old, pointed to two specific examples to make his case. He reminded his critics that he once traveled across the world on just six or seven days' notice to accept a fight against Hamzat Chimaev, and that he also stepped up to face Jorge Masvidal at a moment when Masvidal was riding a wave of momentum off a famous flying-knee knockout. Usman, who fights out of Kill Cliff FC and brings a 52 percent striking accuracy alongside 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes, insisted he has never turned down a challenge and remains confident he would beat any opponent put in front of him.

Du Plessis, ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound at just 32 years old, had claimed Usman showed reluctance to engage. The South African is one of the more dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. He carries a 23-3 record and fights out of Team CIT.

Masvidal, the American Top Team veteran with a 35-17 record at 41 years old, was the opponent Usman referenced as evidence of his willingness to face fighters with full momentum behind them.

Why it matters

• Usman's public response keeps his name in the middleweight conversation despite being a ranked welterweight
• Du Plessis at number two in the middleweight standings gives any callout involving him significant divisional weight
• The back-and-forth signals potential crossover interest between the two divisions