UFC Oklahoma Main Event Features Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Oklahoma for a highly anticipated event on Saturday, July 18, 2026, live on Paramount+ from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The main attraction will be a middleweight showdown between former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and former welterweight king Kamaru Usman. This matchup, while not among the organization’s most high-profile recent events, carries significant weight for both fighters. Du Plessis, who previously held the 185-pound title, will make his return to the octagon after losing the championship to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The fight marks his first opportunity to reclaim his former status in the division. Meanwhile, Usman, a veteran known for his dominance in the welterweight class, will debut at middleweight after stepping in on short notice to face Chimaev at 185 pounds during UFC 294. Despite losing via majority decision in that bout, Usman’s performance was praised for its resilience, though the fight occurred nearly three years prior. This event represents a pivotal moment for both fighters. For Usman, the move to middleweight signifies a strategic shift, as he aims to test his skills against a different caliber of opponent. His previous experience at 185 pounds, while impressive, may not fully translate to the challenges of the middleweight division. Du Plessis, on the other hand, seeks to rebuild his reputation after the loss to Chimaev. The fight will serve as a critical opportunity for him to prove his worth and potentially establish himself as a top contender in the middleweight ranks.#ufc #paycom_center #oklahoma_city #kamaru_usman #dricus_du_plessis
Du Plessis Heads to UFC Fight Night 281 to Earn Fresh Title Shot Dricus du Plessis, the South African UFC middleweight champion, is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18th at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. This will mark his first fight since losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025. The event will feature du Plessis in a highly anticipated matchup, though the opponent remains uncertain. While Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, is expected to face him, he has yet to sign his contract, leaving the possibility of a last-minute replacement open. The fight carries significant weight for du Plessis, who aims to reclaim his place in the middleweight title picture. The current champion, Sean Strickland, has previously defeated du Plessis twice, and the South African fighter will need a decisive victory to challenge Strickland or the No.1 contender, Nassourdine Imavov. Joe Pyfer has also been mentioned as a potential challenger. A win for du Plessis would not only restore his reputation but also position him as a serious contender for the middleweight title. Du Plessis’s return to the Octagon follows a 11-month hiatus after his controversial loss to Chimaev. The defeat, which occurred at UFC 319, saw du Plessis dominated on the ground, suffering 12 takedowns in 25 minutes and being outstruck 529 to 45. The loss marked the end of his reign as the first South African to win a UFC title, which he secured by defeating Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024. Despite his success, du Plessis admitted he had lost his competitive drive after the title loss, prompting a break from the sport. The fight against Usman, if confirmed, would test du Plessis’s ability to address the issues that led to his previous defeat.#nassourdine_imavov #khamzat_chimaev #sean_strickland #dricus_du_plessis #ufc_fight_night_281
