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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa prepares to face Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Looks like Kamaru Usman signed the contract after all.
A middleweight main event between Usman and fellow former UFC champion, Dricus du Plessis, has been booked to headline UFC’s upcoming Fight Night card on July 18 from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The 185-pound headliner was announced during Saturday’s broadcast of UFC Vegas 119 (results HERE).
It’s unknown at this time if DDP vs Usman will be a No. 1 contender’s bout in the UFC’s middleweight division, but it would make a ton of sense.
Du Plessis, 32, is coming off a brutal title loss to Khamzat Chimaev all the way back at UFC 319. “Stillknocks” has been waiting to make his awaited Octagon return, but it will almost be a full year since he last fought when he meets Usman next month. Still, DDP can punch his ticket to a trilogy fight with current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland with a standout performance at UFC Oklahoma City.
Usman, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since June 2025 when he beat down Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. The 39-year-old former UFC welterweight champion is certainly in the final stretch of his Hall of Fame career, but Usman still has some gas left in the tank. “Nigerian Nightmare” will have to get past DDP first if he wants to push for one final title shot. Usman did beat Strickland in a welterweight matchup all the way back in 2017 so the history is there.
Stick with Mania for more UFC Oklahoma City fight card news.
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