A dominant performance against Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City could put Dricus Du Plessis in line for a UFC title shot. The middleweight matchup is one of the card's key bouts.
Dricus Du Plessis put on a dominant showing against Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City, and the South African standout now appears to be firmly in the conversation for a middleweight title shot.
Du Plessis, ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh in the pound-for-pound standings, brought a 23-3-0 record into the fight. The 32-year-old from South Africa fights out of a switch stance and carries genuine finishing threat across multiple disciplines, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute with a 48 percent striking accuracy. He also contributes on the ground, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a dangerous and well-rounded presence for any opponent. His 76-inch reach — matching his opponent's — gave neither man a physical edge in that department.
Usman, known as "The Nigerian Nightmare," came in carrying a 21-4-0 record and ranked eighth at welterweight, making this a cross-divisional step up in weight for the 39-year-old. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, Usman has long been respected for his wrestling-based pressure game, averaging 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 52 percent across his career.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis's dominant performance strengthens his case as the top contender at 185 pounds
- A win over a decorated former champion like Usman carries significant weight with selectors and the division alike
- The cross-divisional nature of the matchup adds intrigue, as Usman moved up from welterweight to take the fight
- The result could reshape the middleweight title picture and accelerate talks around the next championship bout
