Ali Akbar Rosady
The highly anticipated middleweight clash between Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, set to headline UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, has been officially confirmed, but not without contention. South African contender Dricus du Plessis has publicly accused former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman of delaying the contract signing, suggesting a reluctance on Usman’s part to commit to the fight. This claim adds a layer of intrigue to a bout already laden with significance for both fighters’ career trajectories.
Du Plessis, a prominent figure in the middleweight division, had previously alluded to difficulties in finalizing the matchup. In a recent interview with Fight Forecast, he directly addressed the speculation, confirming his earlier hints about a "little someone" holding up the announcement were indeed aimed at Usman. "He didn’t want to sign the contract, I know that for a fact," du Plessis stated emphatically. He further elaborated on conversations with UFC officials, recounting, "I spoke to the UFC and they said, ‘We finally convinced him to sign.’ If you need convincing to sign, that’s a problem, but I can’t blame him, I would also not want to fight me right now. It would be the smart move not to sign the fight, but let’s go."
The UFC’s decision to schedule this middleweight main event comes just two weeks before the July 18 date, a relatively short window for such a high-profile announcement, lending some credence to du Plessis’ narrative of a protracted negotiation process. The bout pits two athletes with distinct career paths and current motivations against each other: Usman, a legendary welterweight seeking new challenges at 185 pounds, and du Plessis, a former middleweight champion aiming to reclaim his lost title.
Kamaru Usman, aged 39, stands as one of the most decorated welterweights in UFC history. His initial run saw him secure an astonishing 15 consecutive victories within the promotion, a streak that culminated in him capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship from Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in March 2019. He then went on to defend his title successfully five times, defeating top contenders such as Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. His reign as champion solidified his status as a dominant force in the 170-pound division.
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Usman’s welterweight tenure eventually concluded with two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards. The first, a shocking knockout loss at UFC 278 in August 2022, ended his long unbeaten run. The rematch at UFC 286 in March 2023 saw Edwards retain his title via a majority decision in a closely contested bout. Following these welterweight setbacks, Usman made his middleweight debut at UFC 294 in October 2023, stepping in on short notice to face Khamzat Chimaev. Despite a valiant effort, he lost a competitive unanimous decision, marking his first foray into the 185-pound division. His stated ambition now is to challenge for gold at middleweight, a division where he has yet to secure a victory.
Dricus du Plessis, 30, has rapidly ascended the middleweight ranks since his UFC debut in October 2020. He quickly established himself as a formidable contender, compiling an impressive 6-0 record within the promotion. His path to the title included significant victories over established names like Robert Whittaker, whom he defeated by TKO at UFC 290 in July 2023. Du Plessis captured the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 297 in January 2024, overcoming Sean Strickland via a split decision in a hard-fought contest.
However, his reign was short-lived. In his first title defense at UFC 319 in August, du Plessis suffered his first UFC defeat, losing the belt back to Sean Strickland via a unanimous decision. This loss marked a significant turning point, prompting du Plessis to address perceived weaknesses and re-evaluate his approach. The fight against Usman represents his opportunity to bounce back and demonstrate his evolution as a mixed martial artist.
Du Plessis’ strategic rationale for accepting the fight with Usman, despite the alleged contract delays, is multifaceted. He articulated his desire for a challenge that would propel him back into title contention, asserting that Usman, despite his age, fits this criterion. "You think you’ve been waiting? I’ve been waiting," du Plessis remarked, highlighting his own readiness. He dismissed arguments about Usman being "a bit older" by referencing recent performances in the sport. "Now you look at what [Justin] Gaethje just did, so that throws that argument out the window immediately," he stated, alluding to Gaethje’s continued success against younger opponents in the lightweight division, demonstrating that experience and skill can often outweigh age.
The South African fighter further elaborated on his choice of opponent, emphasizing the strategic value of facing a renowned grappler and wrestler like Usman. "Kamaru Usman is arguably the best welterweight ever alongside with Georges St-Pierre if you go on title defenses and all that… He has a win over Sean Strickland, he had that very close fight with Khamzat Chimaev and that’s why I wanted this fight," du Plessis explained. He expressed a desire to prove his comprehensive skill set, particularly after his recent loss to Strickland, which saw him out-grappled at times. "What’s it going to mean for me to go out there and beat another striker? I’ve done that many times, I’ve defended my belt against strikers. I’ve beaten the best, which is Strickland, at middleweight, twice. So, why go out there and fight another striker? People are going to be like, ‘OK, we know you can strike, what about the wrestling and grappling?’ because of my last fight. I want to go out there and prove what I’ve done."
Du Plessis underscored his commitment to showcasing a more complete version of himself in the octagon. "Go out and figure this out and go show the problem that the middleweights have on their hands now because now I am more complete—and I was a complete fighter—but now I am complete in all areas and I can’t wait to go and show that."
The upcoming bout at UFC Oklahoma City is thus a critical juncture for both combatants. For Usman, a victory over a former middleweight champion would significantly bolster his claim for a title shot at 185 pounds, proving his capability in a new weight class. For du Plessis, it represents an immediate opportunity to return to the winner’s column against a high-caliber opponent and demonstrate the improvements he believes he has made since losing his title. A decisive performance could quickly position him for a rematch or another shot at the middleweight crown.
Du Plessis has been out of action since his August title loss and, prior to that, suffered an injury in April that forced him off an earlier fight card. This extended layoff has evidently fueled his drive. "It’s been long," du Plessis acknowledged. "I was supposed to fight in April, got the injury. I think that was all for a reason because the fire in me to get back in there is like never before." His eagerness to return to competition, combined with his recent accusations against Usman, sets the stage for a compelling narrative leading into the UFC Oklahoma City main event on July 18.
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