Ali Akbar Rosady
Kamaru Usman, the former undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion, has articulated a clear and ambitious trajectory for his career, declaring that only a championship bout against Sean Strickland or a high-profile superfight with Islam Makhachev will suffice should he emerge victorious from his upcoming main event clash at UFC Oklahoma City. The highly anticipated bout, scheduled for Saturday at the Paycom Center, sees Usman move up to the 185-pound division to face former middleweight titleholder Dricus du Plessis, streaming live on Paramount+.
Usman, known throughout his dominant reign as "The Nigerian Nightmare," conveyed his singular focus during a recent media day ahead of the event. "Sean Strickland," Usman stated unequivocally when questioned about his next move with a win. "I mean, that makes sense. That’s pretty easy. It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam [Makhachev], if Islam is still the champion, which I assume he will be." This statement lays bare Usman’s intention to either challenge for the middleweight championship directly or pursue a blockbuster encounter with the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, underscoring the immense stakes of his return to the middleweight division.
The path that has led Usman to this critical juncture in Oklahoma City has been fraught with both unprecedented success and recent setbacks. From May 2019 to August 2022, Usman reigned supreme as the UFC Welterweight Champion, defending his title five times against a gauntlet of elite contenders including Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice, with one memorable knockout), and Gilbert Burns. His tactical prowess, suffocating wrestling, and continuously evolving striking made him a formidable force, culminating in a 15-fight winning streak within the UFC, a record for the welterweight division. However, his dominant run was abruptly halted by Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022, where he suffered a stunning head-kick knockout in the final minute of a fight he was largely winning. A subsequent attempt to reclaim the title in a rematch at UFC 286 in March 2023 also resulted in a majority decision loss, marking the first time in his professional career he had lost consecutive fights.
Following these welterweight title losses, Usman picked up his first victory in nearly four years just over a year ago, securing a lopsided decision against Joaquin Buckley in a non-title welterweight main event at UFC Atlanta. This victory, while not against a top-tier contender, was crucial for Usman to regain momentum and confidence after his championship setbacks. In the aftermath of the Buckley fight, Usman publicly called for a shot at Islam Makhachev, a lightweight champion widely regarded as one of the pound-for-pound best, and simultaneously expressed interest in the welterweight title. However, the UFC opted not to grant him an immediate opportunity to regain the welterweight belt, citing a crowded contender landscape with fighters like Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov having established strong cases for title contention.
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This decision by the promotion paved the way for Usman’s return to the middleweight division, a weight class where he had previously competed on short notice. His last foray into the 185-pound category came at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he stepped in to face the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. Despite taking the fight with minimal preparation, Usman pushed Chimaev to a closely contested majority decision loss, showcasing his ability to compete effectively against top-tier middleweights. This performance, despite being a loss, reaffirmed his competitive spirit and hinted at the potential for a more sustained run in the heavier division.
His opponent in Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis, presents an equally compelling narrative. The South African fighter, known by his moniker "Stillknocks," had a meteoric rise through the middleweight ranks. After an impressive seven-fight winning streak within the UFC, culminating in a TKO victory over Robert Whittaker, du Plessis captured the UFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024. His reign, however, was short-lived. Just seven months later, at UFC 319 in August 2024, du Plessis lost the title to Khamzat Chimaev via unanimous decision, marking his first defeat in the UFC and his first professional loss since 2018. This fight against Usman serves as a pivotal opportunity for du Plessis to re-establish himself as an immediate threat to the middleweight throne and demonstrate his resilience after losing his championship.
Usman’s strategic shift to middleweight is not merely a reaction to the welterweight logjam but appears to be a calculated move, even if he doesn’t consider it an "easier" path. "I wouldn’t say easier," Usman clarified during media day. "I think it just fit. It just made sense. I obviously wanted the Islam fight. We talked about that and I thought that was what was going to be next, but unfortunately, in these things like this, the company kind of has a say – a big say – in this and they felt this was an opportunity." This statement underscores the dynamic interplay between fighter ambition and promotional strategy, where the UFC’s matchmaking decisions significantly influence career trajectories.
Usman’s respect for the middleweight division’s talent pool is also evident. "I wouldn’t say easier, with respect to some of these guys right now at the top. I mean, guys like Jared Cannonier, guys like Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, all these guys, Robocop [Roman Dolidze]. All of these guys are extremely tough, just like Prates and Morales, and all these guys [at 170]. Hey, it is what it is," he acknowledged. This demonstrates an understanding of the competitive landscape, emphasizing that while the path might "fit," it is by no means less challenging than his previous endeavors at welterweight.
The potential title shot against Sean Strickland is a logical next step for Usman at middleweight. Strickland, currently the undisputed champion, reclaimed the title after du Plessis’s brief reign. A victory over a former welterweight king like Usman, especially one who has shown his ability to compete at 185 pounds, would immediately propel "The Nigerian Nightmare" into the championship conversation. The middleweight division, while robust, currently has several top contenders like Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker who are also vying for a shot, but Usman’s star power and pedigree could jump him to the front of the line with a decisive win.
The mention of Islam Makhachev introduces a superfight dynamic. Makhachev, the dominant lightweight champion, has occasionally teased a move to welterweight. While Usman’s primary focus appears to be on the middleweight title after fighting du Plessis at 185 pounds, a fight against Makhachev, potentially at welterweight or a catchweight, would be a massive draw, pitting two of the sport’s most dominant grapplers and tactical fighters against each other. This hypothetical matchup speaks to Usman’s continued ambition to face the very best, regardless of weight class, if a direct title shot isn’t immediately available.
Tale of the Tape: Kamaru Usman vs. Dricus du Plessis
| Attribute | Kamaru Usman | Dricus du Plessis |
|---|---|---|
| Record (MMA) | 20 wins, 4 losses | 21 wins, 3 losses |
| Age | 37 years old | 30 years old |
| Height | 6’0" (183 cm) | 6’1" (185 cm) |
| Reach | 76" (193 cm) | 76" (193 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| UFC Record | 15 wins, 4 losses | 7 wins, 1 loss |
| Fighting Style | Wrestling, Striking | Kickboxing, Grappling |
Statistically, both fighters possess impressive resumes. Usman holds a significant advantage in UFC championship experience and overall fight control statistics from his welterweight reign, including an average of 4.30 takedowns per 15 minutes with 49% accuracy and an 97% takedown defense rate. His significant strike accuracy stands at 52%, absorbing 2.89 strikes per minute. Du Plessis, while newer to the UFC’s upper echelon, has demonstrated aggressive striking, averaging 5.76 significant strikes landed per minute with 53% accuracy, absorbing 3.96 strikes. His grappling is also formidable, with an average of 2.94 takedowns per 15 minutes at 50% accuracy, and an 80% takedown defense. The matchup presents a clash of styles: Usman’s controlled pressure and dominant wrestling against du Plessis’s unpredictable, high-volume striking and opportunistic grappling.
The stakes for Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City could not be higher. A victory over a recently dethroned middleweight champion like Dricus du Plessis would not only solidify his position in the 185-pound division but would undeniably place him at the forefront of title contention. It would represent a monumental step in his quest to become a two-division champion, or at least challenge for a second divisional title, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Conversely, a loss would significantly complicate his path back to championship contention, raising questions about his future at the elite level and whether a return to welterweight would even be viable.
For Dricus du Plessis, the fight offers an immediate opportunity for redemption. Defeating a legend like Usman would be a clear statement that his title loss was merely a stumble, not a fall, and would undoubtedly place him back in line for a rematch with the current middleweight champion, be it Strickland or another contender. The Paycom Center will be the crucible where these two elite fighters forge their immediate futures, with the reverberations of the main event victory poised to reshape the landscape of the UFC’s middleweight division.
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