All articles tagged with #dricus du plessis
Kamaru Usman, nearing 40 and 1-4 in his last four fights, is considering retirement after a unanimous decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City, saying he’ll sit with coaches and family to decide whether it’s worth continuing.
Kamaru Usman returned to UFC action after a year to face Dricus Du Plessis in Oklahoma City and lost by unanimous decision while competing with a torn pectoral; an early eye-poke left him seeing double, and Usman later revealed the injury, with Henry Cejudo discussing it publicly. Usman says the injury will likely sideline him for a while and that he plans to sit down with his coaches to decide whether to continue fighting in the future.
Dricus du Plessis defeated UFC middleweight champion Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision in the UFC Fight Night main event in Oklahoma City (50-45, 49-46, 49-46), signaling a return to title contention and setting up a potential rematch with Sean Strickland, whom he has beaten twice. Usman said he isn’t quitting and hinted at future bouts in either the 170- or 185-pound divisions.
Dricus Du Plessis earned a unanimous decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City, signaling a return to title contention after his belt loss to Khamzat Chimaev, as fellow fighters reacted to the result.
Islam Makhachev predicts Dricus Du Plessis will defeat Kamaru Usman in UFC Oklahoma City, citing Usman's bad knees and limited wrestling as key factors, even as Usman has moved up to middleweight.
MMA Fighting covers UFC Oklahoma City, headlined by a pivotal middleweight bout between Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, with Jared Cannonier facing Christian Leroy Duncan in the co-main and a slate of prelims, all airing on Paramount+ from the Paycom Center.
Kamaru Usman says a win at UFC Oklahoma City could earn him a title shot, pointing to Sean Strickland or Islam Makhachev as ideal next opponents. He’s competing at middleweight against Dricus du Plessis, after a return win at welterweight previously, with the UFC’s matchmaking reportedly shaping the path to a title as he eyes another championship bid.
Two former UFC champions, Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, collide in the UFC Oklahoma City headliner for Fight Night 281 at the Paycom Center, airing on Paramount+. Du Plessis, a former middleweight king, hasn’t fought since last August when he relinquished the title to Khamzat Chimaev, while Usman hasn’t competed since June, returning in a marquee matchup that pits a middleweight contender against a longtime welterweight champ.
UFC announced Dricus du Plessis will face former champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on July 18 at the Paycom Center. Usman is moving up to 185 pounds to pursue a second title, while Du Plessis returns to action after losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev. The event marks UFC’s first in Oklahoma City in nearly a decade.
Brendan Allen says a planned bout with former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis fell through due to injuries and shifting schedules, so he instead headlines UFC Vegas 118 in a co-main against Edmen Shahbazyan. He says he asked for Usman and other opponents, felt ‘finessed’ by the process, and chose to fight now to make money and showcase his skills, aiming to pressure Shahbazyan and win wherever the fight goes.
Du Plessis dismissed Khamzat Chimaev's weight-cut excuses after UFC 328, arguing that a 12-pound cut in 24 hours isn't catastrophic and that blaming a weight cut won't excuse a loss; he praised Strickland's performance, questioned a quick rematch for Chimaev, and noted uncertainty about Chimaev's next move (including a possible move to 205).
Dricus du Plessis dismissed Khamzat Chimaev's post-fight weight-cut excuse after Chimaev's split-decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, saying there are no excuses in the Octagon and urging fighters to take responsibility rather than blame a cut for the defeat.
Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by decision to reclaim the middleweight title at UFC 328, a result that led Dricus du Plessis—who has beaten Strickland twice—to proclaim he is “world champion again” and to tease a potential return; Strickland’s next title defense against Nassourdine Imavov is expected later this year, with Du Plessis eyeing a possible clash with Kamaru Usman.
Dricus du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev should stay in his weight class and not move up to fight Alex Pereira, asserting that Pereira is a top-tier fighter who would be difficult for Chimaev to beat, especially given Pereira's size and skill.
Dricus du Plessis, after losing his UFC title to Khamzat Chimaev, has publicly expressed his acceptance of the defeat, credited his opponent's performance, and vowed to return stronger, emphasizing his commitment to growth and resilience in his career.