NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: (R-L) Sean Strickland punches Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Make it make sense? Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis returns to action this weekend against former Welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, which goes down Sat., July 18, 2026, inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It will be Du Plessis’ first appearance since losing his title at UFC 319 last year, when he was completely dominated by Khamzat Chimaev in a snoozer of a fight. Since then, the Middleweight division has gotten weird. Chimaev is no longer champion, and the man Du Plessis beat twice — Sean Strickland — now holds the 185-pound title. UFC has not decided whether it will run back Strickland vs. Chimaev after their close title fight, especially with Chimaev pushing for an immediate rematch. But according to Du Plessis, that fight does not make much sense. “There should only be one opinion,” Du Plessis said during UFC Oklahoma City media day when asked about a Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch. “Between the two of them, they have an amazing zero title defenses. So, how do you warrant a rematch? In that case, I have two, so give me a rematch then. I have two wins over the current champion. It makes zero sense.” Honestly, the former champion has a pretty valid point. Du Plessis has two wins over Strickland, defended the title twice and is now trying to fight his way back into the championship mix. But even with that resume, “Stillknocks” does not believe simply beating Usman this weekend should automatically guarantee him another title shot. For Du Plessis, it has to be about the performance. “I don’t believe a victory alone can be enough,” Du Plessis said. “I think my resume, definitely, but I don’t believe just a victory over Usman necessarily gives me a title shot, and the same for him. The performance. Going out there and putting on a performance that eliminates any doubt that I’m the best in the world, that’s what’s going to guarantee me a shot at that title.” So, who should get Strickland next? Du Plessis believes the answer is Nassourdine Imavov (so does Strickland). “Strickland will be ready at the end of the year,” Du Plessis said. “I do believe Imavov vs. Strickland is the fight to make. It’s the right fight to make.” With the Middleweight division suddenly loaded with deserving contenders, UFC has several directions it could go. Chimaev wants his rematch. Imavov has the best case. Du Plessis could jump right back into the mix with a big win. And Usman has a chance to blow the whole thing up this weekend. So, yeah, things could look very different by Monday morning. But as far as Du Plessis is concerned, Strickland vs. Chimaev 2 is not the answer. To checkout the latest UFC Oklahoma City fight card and rumors click here.