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Kamaru Usman isn't limiting himself to a single division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The former UFC welterweight champion returns to middleweight against former champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC Oklahoma City main event on July 18. Rather than committing to one division, Usman says he’s interested in certain matchups across the 170 and 185-pound brackets.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" snapped a three-fight skid with a unanimous decision over170-pound contender Joaquin Buckley in his most recent outing. Instead of staying at welterweight, he opted for a high-stakes matchup against du Plessis next. Usman wants to keep his options open, rather than restricting himself to just one division.
"For me, I've always said this. I'm a moneyweight fighter," Usman said in a recent interview. "So, it's not about '85 or '70. I can hit both. I'm not the biggest at both, and I'm not necessarily the smallest at both. I might be the smallest at '85, but who knows? But for me, it doesn't matter. I feel that I have the skills to be able to compete at either one. So, if it makes sense, I might be there.”
Usman also admitted that competing at middleweight has made preparation easier because he no longer has to plan for and endure a severe weight cut. Notably, he accepted a short-notice 185-pound bout with Khamzat Chimaev back in 2023, which he lost by majority decision. This remains his lone middleweight appearance inside the octagon.
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The former UFC welterweight champion returns to middleweight against former champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC Oklahoma City main event on July 18. Rather than committing to one division, Usman says he’s interested in certain matchups across the 170 and 185-pound brackets.
Kamaru Usman explains plans for welterweight and middleweight fights ahead of UFC Oklahoma City
"The Nigerian Nightmare" snapped a three-fight skid with a unanimous decision over170-pound contender Joaquin Buckley in his most recent outing. Instead of staying at welterweight, he opted for a high-stakes matchup against du Plessis next. Usman wants to keep his options open, rather than restricting himself to just one division.
"For me, I've always said this. I'm a moneyweight fighter," Usman said in a recent interview. "So, it's not about '85 or '70. I can hit both. I'm not the biggest at both, and I'm not necessarily the smallest at both. I might be the smallest at '85, but who knows? But for me, it doesn't matter. I feel that I have the skills to be able to compete at either one. So, if it makes sense, I might be there.”
Usman also admitted that competing at middleweight has made preparation easier because he no longer has to plan for and endure a severe weight cut. Notably, he accepted a short-notice 185-pound bout with Khamzat Chimaev back in 2023, which he lost by majority decision. This remains his lone middleweight appearance inside the octagon.
“I have the skills to be able to compete at either (weightclass).”
Kamaru Usman (@USMAN84kg) sees nothing but opportunity at middleweight as he takes on Dricus Du Plessis.
How To Watch #UFCOKC: https://t.co/8hweKmO9uw
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