Du Plessis secures decisive victory over Usman in successful UFC return
In a highly anticipated return to the octagon, Dricus Du Plessis showcased his resilience and fighting prowess, triumphing over Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman in a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night held in Oklahoma City. The judges scored the contest 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 in favor of Du Plessis, who improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 24 wins and 3 losses. This match marked Du Plessis’ first fight in nearly a year, during which he had been regrouping after losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025.
Du Plessis, 32, attributed his motivation to his South African roots, expressing a deep sense of responsibility to inspire the youth of his homeland. He emphasized the importance of his role as a figure of strength and determination, stating that he could not afford to falter in front of those who look up to him.
The bout against Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, saw no successful takedowns or submission attempts, leading to a striking contest that underscored Du Plessis’ tactical supremacy. He delivered a commanding performance, achieving a total strike advantage of 139 to 99 and landing 136 significant strikes compared to Usman’s 92. This performance dispelled any notions of rust, underscoring Du Plessis’ readiness to reclaim his place among the elite in the division.
Kamaru Usman, now 21-5, entered the fight hoping to secure back-to-back victories but faced challenges as he has only won one of his last five outings. The 39-year-old veteran, who previously held the welterweight championship from March 2019 until November 2021, will need to regroup and reassess his strategy as he navigates the later stages of his career.
In the co-main event of the evening, England’s Christian Leroy Duncan also emerged victorious, defeating Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision. The scorecards favored Duncan with 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28, marking another step forward in his professional journey as he continues to rise in the UFC rankings.
This event not only highlighted the individual achievements of the fighters but also underscored the dynamic nature of the middleweight division, leaving fans anticipating future matchups that could reshape the competitive landscape.
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