Dricus Du Plessis Claims Kamaru Usman Needed Convincing to Sign Their Fight “I Wouldn’t Want to Fight Me Right Now”
Dricus Du Plessis has fired the first psychological shot ahead of his highly anticipated clash with Kamaru Usman. In a recent interview, the South African middleweight champion revealed that Usman was initially hesitant to sign the contract for their upcoming fight. Du Plessis said the UFC had to work hard to convince the former welterweight king to step into the octagon with him.
The comments add extra tension to what is already one of the most intriguing matchups on the horizon.
Du Plessis Opens Up About the Contract Situation
Speaking candidly, Du Plessis explained that he knew Usman didn’t want to sign right away.
“I know he didn’t wanna sign the contract, I know that for a fact. I spoke to UFC and they said we finally convinced him to sign. If you need convincing to sign, that’s a problem, but I can’t blame him. I would also not wanna fight me right now.”
The champion didn’t hold back, adding that his current mindset and physical condition make him a nightmare matchup for anyone — including a legend like Usman.
Injury Delay Turned Into Extra Motivation
Du Plessis also revealed that an injury forced him out of a planned April fight. Rather than viewing the setback as bad luck, he believes it happened for a reason.
“I was supposed to fight in April, got the injury, and man, I think that was all for a reason, because the fire in me to get back in there is like never before.”
He confirmed that his training camp is going extremely well and that he is feeling sharp and motivated. The extra time off appears to have only increased his hunger and confidence heading into the biggest fight of his career.
What This Means for the Fight
Du Plessis’ comments paint a clear picture: he sees himself at the peak of his powers right now. The combination of an undefeated run at middleweight, his aggressive style, and the added fire from the injury layoff has him feeling invincible.
For Kamaru Usman, the hesitation to sign the contract speaks volumes. Usman is a proven veteran who has faced and beaten elite competition. However, moving up to middleweight and taking on a dangerous, confident champion like Du Plessis is no easy task. The fact that it reportedly took convincing from the UFC suggests Usman was well aware of the risks involved.
This dynamic sets up a fascinating mental battle before the fighters even step into the cage. Du Plessis is clearly trying to establish psychological dominance by calling out Usman’s reluctance, while Usman will likely use any perceived disrespect as extra motivation once the fight is official.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
A win over Usman would be massive for Du Plessis. It would further cement his status as the top middleweight in the world and add another legendary name to his resume. For Usman, a victory would be one of the most impressive comeback stories in recent MMA history and prove he can still compete at the highest level after moving up in weight.
Du Plessis’ willingness to speak so openly about Usman’s initial hesitation shows just how confident he is in his preparation and abilities. Whether this psychological warfare helps or backfires remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — both men are taking this fight extremely seriously.
The middleweight division is about to witness a clash between one of the most dominant champions of the modern era and a hungry, motivated titleholder who believes the stars have aligned perfectly for this moment.
Who do you think wins when Dricus Du Plessis finally faces Kamaru Usman? Do you agree with Du Plessis that Usman was right to be hesitant, or do you think the former champ will prove him wrong? Share your predictions in the comments below and stay tuned for more UFC news and analysis!
