Dricus du Plessis Lost His Title at UFC 319, Kamaru Usman Snapped a 3-Fight Skid, And The Middleweight Division Is Watching

Alright, fight fans, buckle up because the UFC just dropped a bomb, and it's gonna shake up the 185-pound division. We've got a pivotal middleweight showdown headlining UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City this July 18, and it features two absolute legends. Dricus du Plessis, the former middleweight champ, is making his long-awaited return since losing his belt, and he's going up against the former pound-for-pound king and welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman. This isn't just a fight, it's a clash of titans looking for redemption, and Paycom Center is gonna be rocking.

Usman's Comeback: "The Nigerian Nightmare" Returns After 13 Months

Can you believe it's been over a year since we saw Kamaru Usman in the Octagon? The 39-year-old phenom, once the king of the welterweight division, is snapping a 13-month layoff for this middleweight bout. He lost his 170-pound belt in 2022 after an incredible four title defenses, a reign that felt like it would never end. His last outing was a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley, a crucial victory that broke a brutal three-fight losing streak. It was a much-needed win for the guy who dominated his first 15 walks to the Octagon after his 2015 UFC debut. That's just one shy of the promotional record for consecutive wins, shared by Anderson Silva and Islam Makhachev. This will be Usman's second f

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

ight at middleweight, his first at that weight since losing a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. He's currently ranked No. 9 at welterweight, but stepping back into the middleweight fray against Du Plessis? That takes guts.

Du Plessis' Redemption Arc: From Champ to Challenger

On the other side of the Octagon, we've got Dricus du Plessis, the 32-year-old native of South Africa, who's been itching to get back in there. His last fight, at UFC 319 last August, saw him drop his 185-pound title in a performance that was reportedly dominated by Chimaev's wrestling. That loss was his first since 2018 and slammed the brakes on an insane 11-fight win streak. Remember that split-decision win over Sean Strickland in 2024 to win the 185-pound title? That was pure magic. Now, as the No. 2-ranked middleweight, he's got a chance to prove he belongs back at the top, and what better way than by facing a legend like Usman? This main event isn't the only fireworks on the card. We'll also see former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier take on the surging Christian Leroy Duncan, and a key women's strawweight bout between Fatima Kline and Tabatha Ricci. But let's be real, everyone's eyes are on Du Plessis and Usman on July 18. This fight has massive implications for both their careers and the entire middleweight landscape. Get ready, because the "Sooner State" is about to host an absolute barn burner, and we can't wait to see who comes out on top!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.