Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis made a triumphant return to the Octagon with a commanding unanimous decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City.
Du Plessis controlled the five round contest with superior striking, relentless pressure and effective grappling, earning scorecards of 50 45 and 49 46 twice after outclassing Usman from start to finish. The South African dictated the pace throughout the bout and came close to securing a stoppage in the second round before settling for a dominant points victory.
The victory marked an important comeback for Du Plessis, who was fighting for the first time since losing the UFC middleweight title. The impressive performance strengthened his case for another shot at the championship and reaffirmed his status as one of the division’s leading contenders.
Speaking after the fight, Du Plessis said he believes he has earned another opportunity to compete for the middleweight belt, expressing his desire for a third meeting with current champion Sean Strickland. The South African said his record against top contenders in the division justifies another title challenge.
Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, struggled to impose his wrestling against the bigger middleweight and found himself on the defensive for much of the contest. Despite showing his trademark resilience and lasting the full five rounds, the Nigerian born fighter was unable to mount a sustained comeback.
After the bout, Usman questioned one of the judges’ scorecards and suggested an accidental thumb poke affected him during the fight, but acknowledged that difficult nights are part of mixed martial arts and said he intends to continue competing.
The headline bout capped UFC’s return to Oklahoma City after nearly a decade away, with fans witnessing a competitive card featuring several emerging contenders and former champions. Du Plessis’ convincing victory is expected to have significant implications for the middleweight title picture as the UFC weighs its next championship matchup.
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