Kamaru Usman Set to Fight Dricus Du Plessis

Nigeria's former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is back in the Octagon on July 18. He will face South Africa's Dricus Du Plessis in a middleweight fight at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. This matchup is one of the most exciting all-African contests in UFC history.

Usman is moving up to middleweight for this fight. It will be his first bout in over 12 months. His last fight in 2025 was a unanimous decision win against Joaquim Buckley. He hopes that fight prepared him for the challenge ahead.

Du Plessis is looking to regain his momentum. He lost his UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025. Before that, he defeated Nigeria's former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by submission in the fourth round in 2024. This adds personal motivation for Usman.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” has some experience in the middleweight division. He lost a majority decision to Chimaev in his first fight at this weight in October 2023. This upcoming fight is another chance for him to make his mark and avenge the loss for his fellow Nigerian.

On paper, Du Plessis has an age advantage and more recent championship experience in the 185-pound division.

But it would be unwise to overlook Usman. He is a former pound-for-pound champion with top-level wrestling skills and a solid history of performing well under pressure. There are concerns about his ring rust after being away for so long, but many believe in the drive that pushes the Nigerian into this fight.

As his career nears its end, this fight with Du Plessis is crucial. It could either strengthen his legacy or signal that it is time to leave the sport.