Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman spotted in current form ahead of UFC OKC

With UFC Oklahoma City drawing near, pre-fight photos of Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman have surfaced, giving fans an early look at where both fighters stand physically ahead of their anticipated matchup.

Du Plessis, the 32-year-old South African competing out of Team CIT, enters the bout ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh in the pound-for-pound standings. He carries a 23-3-0 record and has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also threatens consistently on the ground, averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fighting out of a switch stance, Du Plessis presents a varied and awkward look for any opponent.

Usman, nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," brings a 21-4-0 record into the contest. The 39-year-old American, who trains with Kill Cliff FC, is ranked eighth in the welterweight division, and this fight represents a notable step up to middleweight territory. Usman is one of the more precise strikers in the sport, connecting on 52 percent of his significant attempts while averaging 4.36 per minute. His wrestling credentials remain formidable, with 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He shares Du Plessis's six-foot frame and identical 76-inch reach, and likewise fights from a switch stance.

Why it matters

• Du Plessis is a top-two middleweight, and a win would cement his divisional standing heading toward a title shot or defense.
• Usman is moving up from welterweight, adding an intriguing cross-divisional dimension to the contest.
• Both fighters are switch-stance grapplers with high striking output, setting up a tactically complex matchup on the feet and on the mat.
• At 39, Usman faces heightened scrutiny over where he stands in the sport's elite tier, making the outcome carry significant career weight.