UFC is set to return to Oklahoma City for a significant middleweight bout featuring former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman. The event, scheduled for tomorrow evening, Saturday, July 18, 2026, will take place at the Paycom Center and will be broadcast live on Paramount+. This marks the organization’s return to “The Sooner State” and features a main event with implications for the 185-pound division.
The matchup is notable for several reasons. It will be the first time fans see Du Plessis compete since he lost his 185-pound title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. For Usman, this fight represents his first full training camp at middleweight, having previously competed in the division on short notice.
Du Plessis’s Return to the Octagon
Dricus Du Plessis, who has a professional record of three losses in 26 fights, is entering this bout following a loss, a rare occurrence in his career. He dropped the UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago. After an extended period away from competition, the former champion is eager to return to action.
Following his title loss, Du Plessis and his team conducted a thorough review of his performance. He emphasized the importance of collective and individual accountability in identifying areas for improvement. He stated that he was beaten “fair and square” and that the team focused on understanding what went wrong to prevent similar outcomes in the future.
Du Plessis initially planned to return to the Octagon sooner, resuming training weeks after the fight with Chimaev. He went to Thailand in January to intensify his preparations and was slated to compete in April, but an injury forced a delay. This additional downtime allowed him to further reflect on the importance of listening to his body and making strategic choices regarding his fight schedule.
He expressed that his goal extends beyond simply regaining the UFC gold; he aims to be recognized as one of the greatest martial artists. Du Plessis believes that the loss, while frustrating, exposed a weakness in his game at an opportune time, allowing him to address it. He is keen to demonstrate the results of his efforts since his last appearance.
Usman’s Middleweight Venture
Kamaru Usman will be making his first full-camp appearance at middleweight in this fight. His previous foray into the division was a short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, where he lost by majority decision. After that, he returned to welterweight and secured a decision victory over Joaquin Buckley.
Now, Usman is focused on establishing himself in the 185-pound title picture. He is known for his elite jab and strong top control, skills that could prove effective against Du Plessis’s aggressive striking style. The upcoming fight is seen as a significant step for Usman in his pursuit of a second title.
Both fighters successfully made weight on Friday, hitting the 186-pound mark during the early morning weigh-ins. The ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC Oklahoma are scheduled to stream live and free later tonight, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
The main event between Du Plessis and Usman is anticipated to be a clash of styles, with both athletes aiming to make a statement in the middleweight division.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
