Kamaru Usman fires back at Du Plessis over cowardice claim

Kamaru Usman pushed back hard against Dricus du Plessis on July 1, responding to the South African's claim that Usman had been too afraid to fight him by pointing to two specific moments in his career that he says prove the opposite.

Usman, 39, referenced accepting a short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev with just six or seven days to prepare, and then traveling across the world to face Jorge Masvidal at what he described as the peak of his career. The Nigerian Nightmare holds a 21-4-0 record and currently sits ranked eighth in the welterweight division. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, the switch-stance veteran lands 4.36 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and averages 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect a well-rounded competitor who has rarely been accused of avoiding competition.

Du Plessis, ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound, is the man lobbing the cowardice accusations. The 32-year-old South African carries a 23-3-0 record and has built his reputation on volume and finishing ability, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute out of a switch stance with a 76-inch reach. He trains out of Team CIT and has mixed striking with a solid grappling threat, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Masvidal, whom Usman cited as a landmark opponent in his willingness argument, is a 41-year-old veteran out of American Top Team with a 35-17-0 record and 4.05 significant strikes per minute across his career.

Why it matters

• The callout crosses divisional lines, with Du Plessis a middleweight and Usman a welterweight, making any potential bout logistically complicated.
• Usman's ranking at eighth in welterweight gives him strong motivation to seek a high-profile fight that reestablishes his standing.
• Du Plessis at number two in middleweight and seventh pound-for-pound has plenty of leverage in deciding who he fights next.