UFC Fight Night: Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Preview & Prediction
The main event sees two of the best fighters in modern UFC history collide, with Dricus du Plessis welcoming Kamaru Usman back to 185 pounds.
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman facts
What time are Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 281
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman main card
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman (Middleweight)
Jared Cannonier vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Chase Hooper vs Mitch Ramirez (Lightweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Alberto Montes (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman prelims
Tabatha Ricci vs Fatima Kline (Women's Strawweight)
Austin Bashi vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs Ko Seok-hyeon (Welterweight)
Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs Felipe Franco (Light Heavyweight)
Alden Coria vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
RJ Harris vs Alvin Hines (Heavyweight)
Anna Melisano vs Dione Barbosa (Women's Flyweight)
Marc-Andre Barriault vs TBC (Middleweight)
Dricus du Plessis: Can "DDP" produce a vintage victory and reinsert his name into title talk at 185 pounds?
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC middleweight history, Dricus du Plessis (23-3) returns for his first contest since coughing up the belt to Khamzat Chimaev last August. “DDP” is a chaotic fighter with relentless forward pressure, above average grappling ability, and a remarkable ability to find the finish, willing to lean on unorthodox techniques to grind his way to victory. Much fun is often made of the South African’s goofy striking style - "DDP" by falling piano, anyone? - but the man’s results speak for themselves. “Stillknocks” has beaten some of the best middleweights of all time and was riding an eleven fight win streak with eight finishes prior to running into “Borz.”
Kamaru Usman: "The Nigerian Nightmare" aims to find new lease of life and kickstart another run at the belt in a new weight class
If it were not for a certain man named Georges St Pierre, there would be a solid argument that Kamaru Usman (21-4) would be the greatest welterweight fighter in MMA history. The TUF 21 winner earned his shot at Tyron Woodley with an eight fight win streak, dominating “The Chosen One” to begin a terrifying reign at 170 pounds. “The Nigerian Nightmare” would defend his strap five times before losing to a Hail Mary Leon Edwards head kick at UFC 278, his first loss in over a decade. Usman looked to be on the way out following another defeat to Edwards in their trilogy bout, but he’s since given Khamzat Chimaev the hardest fight of his life outside of his recent loss to Sean Strickland, and displayed vintage form in a dominant victory over the dangerous Joaquin Buckley.
Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman prediction
Serving as a showcase for two highly regarded former champions, this is a barnburner of a main event.
Du Plessis was completely dominated by Khamzat Chimaev in the wrestling department last time out. As such, it’s not unreasonable to think that Usman, one of the greatest wrestlers in welterweight history, is going to follow “Borz’s” blueprint and simply smother “DDP” on the mat.
However, while they both have a wrestling base, Usman does not present the same submission threat as Chimaev and also doesn’t throw ground and pound with the same ferocity. “DDP” is an excellent scrambler, and without the fear of getting finished in the wake of a single mistake on the ground, I like his chances to work his way back to the feet even he does get taken down. Usman also doesn’t hunt takedowns as relentlessly as Chimaev, meaning that he will resort to striking if he’s unsuccessful on his first few attempts.
Accordingly, this one could well end up being contested primarily on the feet, and I think “Stillknocks” has the tools to tune Usman up if it does. He’s the biggest, most powerful striker that Usman has ever faced, and while much is made of his goofy style on the feet, the South African has wins over Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland; three of the best strikers to ever do it at middleweight.
I see “Stillknocks” taking over as the fight goes late, either out damaging Usman convincingly to earn the decision or scoring a later rounds TKO.
Prediction: Dricus du Plessis to win
