Du Plessis targets title shot with grappling overhaul ahead of Usman bout
Dricus du Plessis faces Kamaru Usman in Oklahoma City, aiming to prove technical improvements and secure the next middleweight championship opportunity.
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is set to conclude an 11-month layoff by headlining UFC Fight Night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. His opponent is former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, a bout that serves as a critical determinant for the division’s next title contender. The winner is expected to be positioned for the next championship opportunity against current middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis, who holds a record of 23-3, has explicitly cited a "gameplan problem" regarding his previous defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last August. During that contest, he was taken down 12 times and controlled on his back for 22 of the 25 minutes, absorbing 529 ground strikes. The former champion stated he is prepared to demonstrate significant improvements in his wrestling and grappling capabilities against Usman, a former NCAA Division II national wrestling champion.
The stakes of this encounter are elevated by recent shifts in the middleweight division. Sean Strickland regained the title by defeating Chimaev via split decision at UFC 328 in May. With Usman holding a 2017 victory over Strickland at welterweight, the victor of the du Plessis-Usman bout could find themselves at the forefront of the contenders line, alongside Nassourdine Imavov and a rematch-seeking Chimaev.
Du Plessis, a 32-year-old native of South Africa, defended his title twice after winning it from Strickland in 2024. He emphasised that the upcoming performance must be decisive to secure a title shot. "If you want to put your hand up to be the best in the world, you can't just go out there and win a fight," du Plessis said. "You have to go out there and put on a performance that puts the world on notice."
While acknowledging Usman’s physical strength and striking ability, du Plessis argued that he possesses a superior strength scale and believes his opponent may underestimate his grappling skills. He pointed to his 11 submission wins out of 20 career stoppage victories as evidence of his well-rounded offensive capabilities. Du Plessis remains confident that his technical adjustments will neutralise Usman’s advantages, asserting he is ready to prove he is the best fighter in the world.
