Dricus Du Plessis Praises Kamaru Usman’s Durability After Five-Round Win
Dricus Du Plessis gave strong credit to Kamaru Usman after their five-round middleweight main event at UFC Oklahoma City. The South African winner highlighted Usman’s refusal to break even after absorbing heavy damage across the full distance.
Du Plessis explained that he usually notices a shift in opponents by the fourth round. He pointed to past fights against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland as examples where fighters continue competing but have already accepted the outcome on a deeper level.
“When I came out for the fourth round, that’s usually when I see people start to break, even with Adesanya and Strickland, I can tell they don’t want to give up—but subconsciously, they already have,” Du Plessis said. “I didn’t see it once tonight.”
He added that Usman appeared out on his feet multiple times yet never showed the same mental fade. The observation came after Du Plessis controlled much of the striking and defended every takedown attempt en route to the unanimous decision.
“When the fourth and fifth rounds came, that’s when I felt the Kamaru Usman aura,” he continued. Du Plessis later said the later rounds left him with clear respect for his opponent’s toughness.
“This man deserves all the flowers in the world,” Du Plessis said. “And that was incredible to share the octagon.”
The comments arrive after a main event that tested both men over 25 minutes. Du Plessis outlanded Usman significantly and kept the fight standing, yet he still walked away acknowledging the former champion’s resilience.
Usman, for his part, had noted an early eye injury that affected his distance and timing. The combination of Du Plessis’ volume and Usman’s durability produced a fight that went the distance and earned Fight of the Night honors.
These remarks matter because they come from the winner of a high-profile matchup. Du Plessis’ willingness to highlight Usman’s heart reinforces the competitive nature of the middleweight division and the respect that still exists between veterans at this level.
The performance keeps Du Plessis relevant in future title conversations while giving Usman a measure of recognition after a tough night. Both men now turn their attention to recovery and the next decisions in their careers.
Du Plessis will look to build on the win and the respect he earned inside the cage. Usman plans to return to his gym, reassess, and determine whether his next opportunity comes at welterweight or middleweight.
