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
Joaquin Buckley Reacts to Being Excluded from UFC 328 Press Conference MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Joaquin Buckley will not be participating in the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference, despite his scheduled main card matchup against Sean Brady on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The UFC’s decision to feature only the main and co-main event fighters for Thursday’s event left Buckley and Brady excluded from the media session. Buckley, who recently ended a six-fight winning streak with a loss to former champion Kamaru Usman in June, expressed his feelings about the situation during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day. When asked how he felt about not being included in the press conference, Buckley told reporters, “That’s a great question. I feel like for me, that’s where I should have been, and where I should be. But May 9, I’ve just got to show the world why I’m a superstar and why I’m a main event fighter.” Buckley emphasized his focus on the upcoming fight as a chance to prove his status. Buckley’s exclusion from the press conference came after his six-fight winning streak was snapped by Kamaru Usman in June. Following the loss, he sought additional training, including time at Kill Cliff FC, where he trained alongside Usman. He described the experience as beneficial, stating, “The training has been good. A lot of people are going to see all the things I learned from Usman, and from that fight, and the things I got to work on skill-wise when I was competing with him just in the gym.” Buckley’s comments highlighted his belief that the lessons from his loss to Usman would translate into improved performance against Brady, a wrestler with an 18-2 MMA record and 8-2 UFC record.#prudential_center #kamaru_usman #ufc_328 #joaquin_buckley #sean_brady
Kamaru Usman Praises MVP's MMA Debut as a Win-Win for the Sport May 4, 2026, 8:50 p.m. ET Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has expressed strong support for Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as the organization prepares to host its inaugural MMA event on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The card, which will stream on Netflix, features a high-profile main event between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, alongside appearances from veteran fighters such as Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Junior Dos Santos. Usman, who previously competed in the UFC, praised the event as a significant opportunity for the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) to gain broader exposure. Speaking on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman emphasized the positive impact of the event, stating, “It’s going to be an incredible night. I think this is great for the sport of mixed martial arts – a new promotion to really shine a light on the sport. I think it’s all a win-win for everybody here to get the opportunity, and for the sport.” He highlighted the importance of expanding opportunities for fighters, noting that the event represents a step forward for the growth of MMA. “The sport wins this night. It’s not this promotion vs. this promotion. I think it’s the sport as a whole that wins, especially giving an opportunity to more and more fighters to be able to do their thing. I am going to be tuned in, May 16, watching.” Usman’s comments align with his public endorsement of Jake Paul’s foray into MMA, which he has previously praised as a way to bring new audiences to the sport. The MVP card also includes younger, rising talents such as undefeated flyweight phenom Muhammad Mokaev and KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse, showcasing a blend of established stars and emerging prospects.#ronda_rousey #gina_carano #most_valuable_promotions #intuit_dome #kamaru_usman
