Kamaru Usman's 13-Month Layoff Is Over, And His Du Plessis Fight Is The Middleweight Gauntlet Nobody Is Ready For

Yo, fight fans! You ready for this?! The UFC just dropped a bomb that's gonna have everyone talking for weeks! Mark your calendars for July 18, because two titans are throwing down in Oklahoma City. We're talking a pivotal middleweight showdown featuring former pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman going toe-to-toe with former 185-pound champ, Dricus du Plessis. This isn't just a fight, this is a statement, a massive return, all happening inside the Paycom Center!

Dricus Du Plessis Is Ready After That Chimaev Letdown

Remember last August? Man, that was brutal. Dricus du Plessis, our former middleweight champ, lost his 185-pound title at UFC 319 in a one-sided performance, totally dominated by Chimaev's wrestling. That loss was his first since 2018, snapping an insane 11-fight win streak! This is the same dude who snatched the 185-pound title in 2024 with a split-decision win over Sean Strickland. This 32-year-old native of South Africa, ranked No. 2 at middleweight, isn't just showing up; he's coming to prove something big.

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.

Kamaru Usman Is Back From 13 Months Away: Major Questions Abound

But wait, there's the other side of this epic coin: Kamaru Usman! The 39-year-old former welterweight champ and pound-for-pound king is finally snapping a massive 13-month layoff. Think about that: over a year away! Usman dropped his 170-pound belt in 2022 after four incredible title defenses, a run that cemented his legendary status. His last time out was a redeemable unanimous decision win over welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley, which was huge because it snapped a three-fight losing streak. This is only Usman's second fight at middleweight, with his first at this weight being a majority decision loss on late notice against then-unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. Usman, ranked No. 9 at welterweight, had an unreal start to his UFC career, winning his first 15 walks to the Octagon after his 2015 debut. That was just one win shy of the promotional record held by legends Anderson Silva and Islam Makhachev! He’s got the pedigree, but that layoff and the weight class switch are massive questions, folks.

This fight isn't just about two guys duking it out; it's about two incredible legacies colliding head-on. Du Plessis, the hungry former champ, is eager to erase the memory of his last, tough loss. Usman, the legend returning from a long break, is stepping into a new weight class with everything to prove and massive questions surrounding his form. This isn't just the main event; it's a pivotal middleweight showdown that could absolutely reshape the entire division! Oh, and don't sleep on the rest of the card either, with former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier taking on a surging Christian Leroy Duncan, and a key women's strawweight bout between Fatima Kline and late replacement Tabatha Ricci. This is going to be electric! Get ready, because July 18 can't come soon enough for this one!

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