…Kamaru Usman returns to the octagon after over 12 months
A clash of African MMA royalty awaits on July 18 as Nigeria’s UFC superstar and former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, steps into the Octagon to face former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma at UFC Fight Night Main Event.
Usman will move up to the middleweight division for the highly anticipated showdown, seeking his first victory in the weight class after falling to Khamzat Chimaev via majority decision in his divisional debut in October 2023.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” heads into the contest buoyed by a unanimous decision victory over Joaquim Buckley, his only outing of 2025. Du Plessis, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after surrendering his middleweight title to Chimaev in August 2025.
The bout carries additional significance for Usman, as Du Plessis previously defeated fellow Nigerian and former UFC middleweight champion and Hall of Famer Israel Adesanya by fourth-round submission in 2024.
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Usman will have the opportunity not only to make a statement in a new division but also to avenge the defeat suffered by his friend and countryman.
On paper, many observers view the fight as favouring the younger Du Plessis, who at 32 enjoys a seven-year age advantage over the 39-year-old Usman. However, counting out the former welterweight king would be a mistake. Usman’s championship pedigree, elite wrestling, and proven ability to perform under pressure make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the sport.
The fight will also mark Usman’s return to action after more than a year away from competition. Questions remain over whether ring rust could play a factor, but the Nigerian veteran will be determined to remind the MMA world of his enduring class and resilience.
With his future in the sport nearing its twilight, the showdown could prove to be one of the defining moments of Usman’s legendary career, and potentially one of his final appearances inside the Octagon.
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