OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JULY 18: (R-L) Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa elbows Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Paycom Center on July 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman squared off in a Middleweight bout earlier tonight (Sat., July 18, 2026) inside Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for UFC Oklahoma City. In a stellar showing, du Plessis bludgeoned his opponent for most of five rounds. “DDP” found his rhythm early. The South African imposed his size advantage with long low kicks and a sharp jab, feinting the right hand before stepping in behind the jab. Just a couple minutes into the fight, du Plessis’ right hand began to find the target. A right glanced off the top of the head and rocked Usman, but the former Welterweight champ recovered his footing quickly. Usman found some success with his body jab, but his first takedown attempt was easily stuffed. “Stillknocks” landed a hard uppercut as Usman dipped. Usman pushed into the clinch then a low blow ended that exchange. Before the bell, du Plessis landed a high kick and some clubbing punches upstairs to conclude a strong opening round. Du Plessis landed a hard left knee early in round two to wobble the knees badly. “DDP” was hunting for the left high kick and landing hard Southpaw jabs. Usman committed hard to a shot and couldn’t get it. Du Plessis continued to build off his success, extending combinations from both stances and landing hard. A du Plessis right hook hurt the former Welterweight champion, who tried to call a break for an eye poke that didn’t happen. On the restart, “DDP” stepped on the gas further and kept landing his southpaw right hook. Usman tried to clinch up but couldn’t keep the South African on the fence for long. Usman was taking a ton of shots, displaying incredible toughness and little else. Still, he fired back and made it to round three. Usman still looked to have his legs beneath him and jabbed well early. Du Plessis’ southpaw jab landed like a sledgehammer, however, and he timed another knee up the middle. Usman targeted the body, using his right hand and front kick. Consecutive hard body kicks scored for the “Stillknocks.” Generally, the pace slowed a bit in the third. Though du Plessis landed the harder blows, he wasn’t rocking Usman as badly as in previous rounds. Late in the round, Usman finally scored a takedown … for roughly half a second. With ten minutes remaining, Usman needed to find a Hail Mary shot. He started the round well, jabbing and moving du Plessis back. Just as Usman built some momentum, du Plessis nailed him with a left high that wobbled the knees once again. “Stillknocks” got back on the front foot and nailed Usman with several hard rights and another high kick. A badly-needed Usman takedown was stuffed. The pace slowed back down, and Usman landed a nice straight right of his own late in the round. It wasn’t enough. Credit to Usman, he tried hard to make something happen in the final five minutes. Despite absorbing yet another hellacious du Plessis high kick, Usman regained his balance and went on the offense. He actually finished the fight with a wild flurry, throwing hard until the final bell. A lot of those shots bounced off the high guard of “DDP,” but it was still a gritty display of will from “The Nigerian Nightmare.” After 25 minutes, the judges unanimously awarded du Plessis the wide decision win. It’s been most of a year since we last saw “DDP” in the Octagon, and he clearly improved in his time away. He was really on fire in the early goings of this fight, showing off an improved jab and takedown defense against a very game Kamaru Usman. Late in the fight, du Plessis remained dangerous even as fatigue set in — he surely would’ve knocked out a lesser fighter. Who’s next for the South African former champ? Result: Du Plessis defeats Usman via unanimous decision For complete UFC Oklahoma City results and play-by-play click here.