Overview
- Dricus Du Plessis won a unanimous decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, with judges scoring the fight 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.
- Du Plessis largely controlled the bout with size, striking and takedown defense, rocking Usman several times but choosing to pace the fight rather than press for a finish.
- After the fight Du Plessis called for a title shot and rejected an immediate rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, arguing he should be next in line for Sean Strickland’s belt.
- Usman declined to retire and left his weight-class plans open, saying he will consider options while also claiming a thumb-to-the-eye affected his vision, a claim Du Plessis’s coach publicly called 'nonsense.'
- The result has immediate matchmaking implications because Chimaev lost the belt to Strickland earlier this year, media praise including from Israel Adesanya has raised Du Plessis’s profile, and viral post-fight moments have added new public callouts such as one aimed at Francis Ngannou.