Kamaru Usman, 39, Is Returning After 13 Months, And the Middleweight Division Is NOT Ready
Holy smokes, fight fans, did you see the news? UFC is officially heading back to Oklahoma City this July 18, and they are bringing an absolutely insane main event with them. We're talking about a pivotal middleweight showdown that's gonna have everyone on the edge of their seats: Dricus du Plessis against none other than the former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman! This isn't just a fight, it's a statement, especially for Usman, who's been out of the Octagon for way too long. Get ready for fireworks at the Paycom Center!
Du Plessis's Redemption Arc Begins Now
So, let's talk about Dricus du Plessis, the No. 2-ranked middleweight, who's stepping back into the cage for the first time since losing his 185-pound title last August. You remember UFC 319, right? He dropped that middleweight belt in a performance where Chimaev's wrestling just completely dominated him. That was a gut punch, not just for him, but for everyone who watched his incredible run. It was his first loss since 2018, snapping an unbelievable 11-fight win streak. This is the same dude who won the 185-pound title in 2024 with a split-decision over Sean Strickland! The 32-year-old South African is coming back hungry, looking to prove that that last fight was just a stumble, not the end of his reign.
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The Welterweight King Takes on Middleweight Again
But man, the story around Kamaru Usman is just wild. The 39-year-old former welterweight champ and pound-for-pound legend is finally back after a massive 13-month layoff. He lost his 170-pound belt back in 2022 after four incredible title defenses, and his last outing was a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley, which mercifully snapped a brutal three-fight losing streak. That was a much-needed win, and now he's taking on the middleweight division again! This will be only his second fight at 185, his first at that weight was a majority decision loss to the then-unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. Usman, who's still ranked No. 9 at welterweight, won his first 15 walks to the Octagon after his 2015 UFC debut. Think about that: 15 straight wins, just one shy of the promotional record held by Anderson Silva and Islam Makhachev! Can he regain that dominant form at a new weight, coming off such a long break and a rough patch?
This fight is going to be electric, no doubt about it. We've got Du Plessis, fresh off a title loss and hungry for redemption, facing a 39-year-old Usman, who's trying to prove he's still got it after a long layoff and a tough losing streak. The stakes are sky-high for both guys. And don't forget the rest of the card shaping up with Jared Cannonier against Christian Leroy Duncan, and Fatima Kline taking on Tabatha Ricci in a key strawweight bout. You absolutely cannot miss July 18, mark your calendars!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.