Dricus Du Plessis VS Kamaru Usman

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision in the UFC Fight Night 281 main event in Oklahoma City on July 18, 2026, earning scorecards of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46. Du Plessis controlled the early rounds with crisp jabs and right hands before hurting Usman repeatedly with step knees in round two, then dropping him with a right hand later in the same frame. Head kicks wobbled Usman again in round four, and his wrestling never gained traction as Du Plessis neutralized every clinch attempt throughout the fight. Usman salvaged rounds three and five on two of three scorecards with sharper output and a brief takedown in round three, but could not overcome the accumulated damage. Afterward, Usman was brief about his situation, saying only, "We got some thinking to do."

Former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis returns from his title loss to Khamzat Chimaev looking to reassert himself in the division against a dangerous newcomer in Kamaru Usman, the legendary welterweight king making only his second appearance at 185 pounds. Du Plessis brings brutal forward pressure and high finishing rate while Usman tests whether his elite wrestling and pressure can translate to a heavier weight class.