UFC analysis: Five things Dricus du Plessis proved in his dominant win over Kamaru Usman
Dricus du Plessis returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a unanimous decision victory over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City.
The South African controlled much of the five-round contest, earning scorecards of 50-45 and 49-46 twice after producing one of the most complete performances of his career.
It was a display that drew praise even from former rival Israel Adesanya, who described it as the best he has seen from Du Plessis.
Sports News Blitz’s MMA expert Aidan Leo unpacks five major takeaways from a performance that could reshape the UFC middleweight division.
UFC Oklahoma analysis: Kamaru Usman vs Dricus Du Plessis predictions and preview
UFC Oklahoma will be headlined by former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on July 18 at the Paycom Center.
Usman is coming off a huge win against surging welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley, while Du Plessis arrives off a loss to Khamzat Chimaev, which cost him the middleweight strap.
‘DDP’ is currently the number-two-ranked contender, with number-one-ranked Chimaev recently losing his title to Sean Strickland.
The Chechen most likely needs to win another fight before earning a second shot at middleweight gold.
Sports News Blitz’s MMA writer Luke Mullaney previews the notable Du Plessis vs Usman clash, as well as the implications the fight will have on the middleweight division.
MMA news: ‘I’m next’ – Former UFC champ Usman lines up winner of Della Maddalena vs Makhachev
One of the most anticipated UFC main events of the year is set to take place this weekend as Islam Makhachev aims to become a two-division champion when he faces the current titleholder at welterweight, Jack Della Maddalena.
However, regardless of who leaves Madison Square Garden with the belt, their next challenger already appears to be waiting in the wings.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher digs into the story.