Kamaru Usman Wants Title Shot Following UFC OKC Win
- On Saturday, July 18, former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman collide at UFC Oklahoma City in a middleweight bout with significant implications for the 185-pound title picture.
- Dricus Du Plessis enters following a loss to Khamzat Chimaev that ended his 11-fight winning streak, aiming to reassert dominance using the raw power that secured wins over Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker.
- Returning after a 13-month layoff, Usman makes his first full-camp appearance at middleweight, while market odds favor Du Plessis at 70% with a 62% chance the bout extends beyond 4.5 rounds.
- Seeking to jump-start his 2026 campaign, Usman stated he wants a title shot after Saturday's event at either 185 lbs or 170 lbs, viewing the middleweight move as a strategic step.
- When asked if the 185-pound division offered an easier path, "The Nigerian Nightmare" wouldn't say that's the case, citing tough contenders like Jared Cannonier, Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and Robocop.
24 Articles
24 Articles
[OSEN=Reporter Woo Choong-won] Former UFC champions from Africa will clash in the octagon. Former UFC middleweight champion and current No. 2 ranked Driquis du Plessis (32, South Africa) will face former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (39, USA/Nigeria) in the main event of 'UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs. Usman' held at the Paycombe Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA on the 19th (Korea time).
Kamaru Usman eyes one more run at UFC gold ahead of Dricus Du Plessis showdown
Kamaru Usman believes victory over former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis could move him one step closer to another UFC title. In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia. com, the former welterweight champion reflects on his lengthy layoff, his pursuit of a second world title, the challenge posed by Du Plessis, why every fight now has to be meaningful, and what he wants people to remember about his career.
Kamaru Usman Wants Title Shot Following UFC OKC Win
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says that he wants a title shot after winning at UFC Oklahoma City this Saturday.Usman takes on Dricus du Plessis in a five-round middleweight headliner at UFC OKC this weekend. Following a long and successful UFC career, mainly fought at welterweight, Usman is moving up to middleweight at age […] The post Kamaru Usman Wants Title Shot Following UFC OKC Win appeared first on HEAVY.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
