Dricus Du Plessis Controls Kamaru Usman Over Five Rounds for Decision Win
Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by decision after five rounds in the middleweight main event of UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman. The victory raised Du Plessis’ record to 24-3 while Usman dropped to 21-5 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The bout closed out the July 18 card and matched two established middleweights each aiming to reset their momentum. Du Plessis looked to build on his body of work at 185 pounds, while Usman sought to reverse recent results against elite competition.
Du Plessis held the clear edge in striking output across the full 25 minutes. He landed 117 of 231 total strikes at 50.6 percent accuracy compared to Usman’s 75 of 176 at 42.6 percent. Significant strikes followed the same pattern, with Du Plessis connecting on 114 of 226 attempts (50.4 percent) while Usman managed 69 of 167 (41.3 percent).
Neither man scored a knockdown. Usman attempted six takedowns but failed to complete any of them. Du Plessis recorded zero takedown attempts. Both fighters finished without a submission try as the action stayed almost entirely on the feet.
The numbers illustrate Du Plessis’ ability to maintain range and volume over championship distance. His higher accuracy and consistent pressure limited Usman’s chances to close the distance and force the grappling exchanges that have long defined the Nigerian’s approach. Usman’s unsuccessful takedown attempts left him without a reliable way to change the complexion of the fight.
This result carries meaning in a middleweight division still clarifying its top tier. Du Plessis adds a decision win over a former two-division title challenger and shows he can dictate a five-round fight through striking alone. The performance keeps him positioned among the names under consideration for future high-level matchups.
For Usman, the loss continues a difficult stretch and highlights the challenge of imposing wrestling against an opponent who stays busy on the feet and defends takedowns effectively. His defensive efforts kept him off the mat for extended periods, yet the lack of offensive success left him trailing in the metrics that decided the contest.
The middleweight ranks feature several contenders ready to capitalize on outcomes like this one. Wins secured through sustained striking and strong defensive wrestling often keep fighters relevant in the title picture conversation. Du Plessis’ ability to outland Usman over five rounds strengthens his standing.
Usman displayed the durability that marked much of his career by absorbing volume and continuing to press for takedowns into the later rounds. His experience carried him to the final bell despite trailing in nearly every major category. Both men leave Oklahoma City with clear information from a demanding main event that tested their conditioning and adjustments under pressure.
Du Plessis will look to build on the win and prove he can maintain the same level of control against the division’s other top talents. Sustaining the striking advantage while neutralizing wrestling entries remains central to his next steps. Usman must now regroup, address the areas that limited his offense, and find the right opportunity to return to the win column.
Online reaction to the result reflected the one-sided nature of the striking battle. Fans noted the clear control Du Plessis established and debated potential future matchups for the South African. The discussion underscored how the statistical dominance translated into a decisive outcome on the scorecards.
The Oklahoma City main event delivered a full 25 minutes of competitive yet controlled action. Du Plessis’ superior volume and accuracy proved decisive after five rounds of steady pressure, securing the decision and the night’s featured win.
As the middleweight division continues to take shape, performances like this one help clarify the current order. Du Plessis leaves with a hard-fought victory over a proven veteran, while Usman gains another chapter of experience against high-level opposition. Both fighters will turn their attention to what comes next after a main event that went the distance.
