Du Plessis makes winning return to UFC with dominant decision over Usman | Mixed Martial Arts News
Du Plessis Defeats Usman in UFC Fight Night Main Event
July 19, 2026
Oklahoma City – Dricus Du Plessis returned to the Octagon after nearly a year away, securing a unanimous decision victory over Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday.
Judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of Du Plessis (24-3 MMA), a former middleweight champion who held the title from January 2024 until mid-August 2025, when he was defeated by Khamzat Chimaev. The win marks Du Plessis’s resurgence after his initial nine-fight UFC winning streak was halted.
“I had to get up,” the 32-year-old fighter said following his victory. “There are so many South African kids that look up to me. It’s bigger than me. I can’t go lie down.”
The matchup saw Du Plessis maintain a clear advantage, landing 136 significant strikes compared to Usman’s 92. He also enjoyed a substantial edge in total strikes, finishing the fight with 139 against Usman’s 99. Notably, the bout was conducted entirely on the feet, with neither fighter successful in takedown or submission attempts.
Usman (21-5), the former UFC welterweight champion, has struggled in recent fights, losing four of his last five bouts, and was seeking his first win following a 13-month absence from the cage.
In the co-main event, England’s Christian Leroy Duncan (15-2) defeated Jared Cannonier (18-10 MMA) by unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Du Plessis’s performance not only marked a triumphant return but also highlighted his commitment to inspiring the next generation of fighters from South Africa.
