Dricus du Plessis made an emphatic statement in his return to competition, earning a commanding unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City.
After nearly a year away from the Octagon, the former UFC middleweight champion showed little sign of ring rust. Du Plessis dictated the pace from the opening round, repeatedly finding success with powerful head kicks, knees and accurate combinations that kept Usman on the defensive throughout the contest.
Usman entered the fight hoping his championship experience and wrestling could neutralize his larger opponent, but du Plessis consistently shut down those opportunities while maintaining an advantage in the striking exchanges. The South African mixed his attacks effectively and landed the cleaner shots over five rounds.
Despite absorbing significant punishment, Usman demonstrated the resilience that has defined his career. The former welterweight champion remained competitive until the final horn and mounted his strongest offensive surge late in the fifth round, but the rally came far too late to influence the judges.
All three scorecards reflected du Plessis’ control of the fight, awarding him a unanimous decision with scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.
The win restores momentum for du Plessis following the loss of his middleweight title and strengthens his case for another opportunity to compete for UFC gold. For Usman, the defeat raises fresh questions about his path forward as he continues searching for another run at championship contention.
