Dricus Du Plessis Breaks Kamaru Usman’s Middleweight Bid Over Five Rounds In Oklahoma City – Highlights

Du Plessis won 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 after outlanding Usman 136-92 in significant strikes and denying all seven takedown attempts.

Written by Jake Blend
Last updated on July 18th, 2026
Dricus Du Plessis has his hand raised after defeating Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City
Photo: UFC on Paramount+ via X

Dricus Du Plessis shut down Kamaru Usman’s first UFC fight at middleweight on Saturday, winning a five-round unanimous decision in the UFC Oklahoma City main event by scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Watch the highlights below:

Du Plessis Took The Fight Away Before Usman Could Wrestle

Usman came up from welterweight trying to build a second title lane, but Du Plessis never gave him the usual wrestling shortcuts. UFC Stats credited Usman with seven takedown attempts and zero finishes, while Du Plessis only shot twice himself and spent most of the night forcing the range battle he wanted.

The South African started quickly. He outlanded Usman 29-17 in significant strikes in the first round, then widened the gap with an even bigger second frame at 36-14. By the time the third round ended, Du Plessis had already banked a three-round cushion on activity, landing 25 more significant strikes there while Usman tried to answer in bursts.

Usman’s best push came late. The fourth round was tighter at 24-21 in significant strikes for Du Plessis, and the fifth was the only frame where Usman edged the count at 23-22. But he never found the takedown or damage swing he needed, and a low-blow pause in the championship rounds did not change the direction of the fight.

Over the full 25 minutes, Du Plessis finished ahead 136-92 in significant strikes and 139-99 in total strikes. Judges Sal D’Amato, David Sutherland, and Mike Bell turned those numbers into the official result, giving Du Plessis the main-event decision after referee Kerry Hatley oversaw all five rounds.

Oklahoma City Keeps Du Plessis In The Title Traffic

The matchup had real stakes before the first punch. Du Plessis entered as the No. 2 middleweight on the UFC event page, while Usman jumped into the spot as a former welterweight champion trying to make his first full middleweight camp count. Fight week had already built heat through the booking itself and the faceoff push, while even Islam Makhachev publicly leaned toward Du Plessis before the cage door closed.

Du Plessis used the win to move to 24-3 in MMA and keep his name parked near the front of the 185-pound line. Usman fell to 21-5 after a game but unsuccessful move up in weight. The former welterweight champion stayed durable for 25 minutes, yet the official Oklahoma City result was blunt: no takedowns, no knockdowns, and a wide Du Plessis decision on all three cards.

UFC Oklahoma City took place on July 18, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with the main card airing on Paramount+. Du Plessis left with the scorecards, the striking totals, and the exact kind of five-round win that keeps him in the next serious middleweight conversation.

Published on July 18, 2026 at 11:28 pm
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Jake Blend

Jake Blend
Jake Blend is an experienced combat sports writer with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Over the past 6 years, he has relentlessly covered the evolving landscapes of mixed martial arts, boxing, and Muay Thai. Whether he is reporting on the latest UFC matchups, breaking down championship fight camps, or interviewing athletes, Jake's deep-rooted passion for the sport shines through in every article.

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