Kamaru Usman faces Dricus du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281

Kamaru Usman and Dricus du Plessis are set to compete in a middleweight fight on Saturday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Usman, a former UFC champion and a prominent figure in welterweight history, will look to build on his June 2025 victory over Joaquin Buckley. This matchup marks Usman's second foray into the middleweight division, following a previous loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023. Du Plessis, a former champion himself, aims to reclaim his standing after losing to Chimaev in August 2025. Both fighters expressed confidence leading up to the bout, highlighting Usman's varied combat skills and Du Plessis's determination to achieve greatness in the sport.

• 9:46 AMYahoo Sports — Kamaru Usman ready for middleweight challenge vs Dricus du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281