Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman: stakes of a clash between former champions

Du Plessis, a mandatory comeback

At 32 years old, the South African fighter is coming off a loss to Khamzat Chimaev on August 16, 2025, during his last title defense. Since then, Dricus Du Plessis has taken a step back before returning to the arena. For his big return to the octagon, the former world middleweight champion (-84kg) will face a UFC legend, Kamaru Usman, who accepted this fight at 39 years old, though reluctantly according to Stillknocks.

"He didn't want to sign the contract. I'm sure of it. I spoke to the UFC and they told me: 'We finally managed to convince him.' If you need to be convinced to sign, that's problematic, but I can't blame him. I wouldn't want to fight me right now. It would have made more sense not to sign, but hey, let's go", said du Plessis in an interview with Fight Forecast, as reported by Sherdog.

With the Nigerian having accepted the fight, the hardest part is yet to come now for Dricus Du Plessis. Since the start of his career, the South African has never lost two fights in a row, whether for a title or just on the main card. In fact, he only has three losses in his entire career, from the EFC to the UFC via the KSW. His first loss in the UFC to Chimaev was a stain on "Stillknocks'" record within the American organization, and he simply must win against Usman to bounce back.

See also : Kamaru Usman, between waiting and changing weight class

Kamaru Usman, the bet of a lifetime

After dominating the Welterweight category (-77kg) with a championship title, Kamaru Usman is making his way up to middleweight. This, after a first fight lost three years ago to Khamzat Chimaev on October 21, 2023, after three rounds. That was his third consecutive loss at the time, but the "Nigerian Nightmare" managed to bounce back by defeating Joaquin Buckley (welterweight) by unanimous decision on June 14, 2025.

By deciding to give himself another shot in the higher weight class, despite being 39, Kamaru Usman is giving himself one last chance that looks more than ever like his final one. Facing a Dricus Du Plessis who is physically more imposing than him, Usman is undertaking a complicated adventure—changing divisions—but his ambition to finish his career as a double UFC champion is even greater and should push him to face the South African giant fearlessly.

A challenger spot in sight

The main issue in this UFC OKC main card fight is the spot as challenger for the middleweight title, currently held by the Emirati Khazmat Chimaev, conqueror of both candidates who will face off Saturday night into Sunday.

Indeed, the winner of this fight will position himself as the main challenger for the middleweight belt. This is the dream of both Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman. "I want to face someone that allows me to reclaim my title. Kamaru Usman, yes, he's a bit older, but when you see what Gaethje just did, that argument doesn't hold", indicated "Stillknocks".

As for the Nigerian, he has spelled out his middleweight title ambitions since last year: "The dream scenario is next fight, win the welterweight title, vacate it, win the middleweight title, then retire", Kamaru Usman said on his YouTube channel in October 2025. Current champion Sean Strickland should be following this fight with great interest.