Usman not concerned by Chimaev's wrestling dominance over Du Plessis

Kamaru Usman has publicly brushed aside concerns about Khamzat Chimaev's wrestling-heavy victory over Dricus Du Plessis, insisting the performance will not change his preparation as he gets ready to face Du Plessis at UFC OKC.

Usman, 39, carries a 21-4 record and competes primarily at welterweight, where he is ranked eighth. The American fighter out of Kill Cliff FC is a technically well-rounded competitor, landing 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while averaging 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes. His move up to middleweight for this contest represents a significant step, and he has chosen not to treat Chimaev's blueprint against Du Plessis as required reading.

Du Plessis, the 32-year-old South African ranked second at middleweight and seventh pound-for-pound, enters the bout on a 23-3 record. Fighting out of a switch stance, he stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and generates an aggressive output of 5.18 significant strikes per minute. He also contributes on the ground, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat despite the difficulties Chimaev exposed.

Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division at 15-1, demonstrated exactly why that ranking is justified in his outing against Du Plessis. The 32-year-old based out of Allstars Training Center averages a division-leading 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects on 60 percent of his significant strikes — a combination that made the South African look unusually vulnerable.

Why it matters

• Usman's willingness to dismiss the Chimaev performance suggests confidence in a distinct game plan rather than a reactive approach
• Du Plessis, despite the loss, remains the second-ranked middleweight, so a win for Usman would carry significant divisional weight
• The stylistic contrast — Usman's wrestling pedigree meeting Du Plessis's volume striking — sets up a genuinely competitive matchup regardless of what Chimaev showed