Du Plessis impressed on his return to the Octagon as he strengthened his case for another championship opportunity.
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis made a successful return to the Octagon with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Nigerian MMA star Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City.
The South African contender was awarded the contest by all three judges with scorecards of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46, producing an impressive all-round performance at the Paycom Center.
Du Plessis Controls the Fight
Competing for the first time since losing the UFC middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last August, Du Plessis looked sharp throughout the contest and dictated the pace from the opening round.
The 32-year-old relied on accurate striking, repeatedly connecting with powerful right hands and well-timed high kicks that troubled Usman during the early stages of the fight.
Statistics reflected his dominance, with Du Plessis landing 136 significant strikes compared to Usman’s 92, underlining his superiority on the feet.
Although the Nigerian veteran showed greater urgency in the closing rounds, he was unable to overturn the early deficit as Du Plessis comfortably maintained control until the final bell.
Title Ambitions Remain Alive
Following the victory, Dricus Du Plessis improved his professional record to 24 wins and three defeats, including 10 victories in 11 UFC appearances.
Speaking after the fight, the South African reiterated his desire to challenge for the UFC middleweight championship once again after returning to winning ways.
Du Plessis previously captured the title by defeating Sean Strickland in January 2024 before successfully defending the belt against Israel Adesanya and Strickland. His reign ended with a defeat to Khamzat Chimaev last year.
Difficult Night for Kamaru Usman
For former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, the defeat marked another setback in his recent run inside the Octagon.
The Nigerian returned to action after his victory over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025 and was making only his second appearance in the middleweight division.
Despite a stronger finish in the later rounds, Usman struggled to match Du Plessis’ striking accuracy and movement over five rounds.
The loss leaves the 39-year-old with one victory in his last five UFC outings, although he remains one of the most accomplished fighters in the promotion’s history after holding the welterweight title between 2019 and 2022 and defending it successfully on five occasions.
While Kamaru Usman’s latest UFC fight ended in defeat, the Nigerian veteran’s legacy as one of the greatest welterweights in mixed martial arts remains firmly established.