Pros react after Dricus du Plessis defeats Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City

Tonight’s UFC Oklahoma City event was headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight bout between Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman.

Du Plessis (24-3 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since losing the promotion‘s middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev 11 months ago at UFC 319. Prior to that lopsided decision defeat, ‘DDP’ had strung together 10 straights wins, which included victories over Sean Strickland (x2), Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman (21-5 MMA) had most previously competed in June of 2025, where he scored an impressive unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley. That win had snapped a three-fight losing skid for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, who had previously suffered losses at the hands of Leon Edwards (x2) and Khamzat Chimaev respectively.

Tonight’s UFC Oklahoma City main event proved to be a rather dominant showing from Dricus du Plessis. The former middleweight champion was able to hurt Kamaru Usman on multiple occasions, starting in the opening round. Despite wobbling the former welterweight champion with several left head kicks, ‘DDP’ was unable to score a finish as Usman showed off his heart and resilience for the entirety of their twenty-five-minute war. After five rounds of action, Du Plessis was awarded a much-deserved unanimous decision victory.

Official UFC Oklahoma City Results: Dricus du Plessis def. Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 x2)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Du Plessis vs. Usman’ below:

I got USMAN by tko in the 3rd rd.

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) July 19, 2026

Who you got ?
I want Usman to win , but I think PPD will be too much

— Azamat Bekoev (@AzamatBekoev) July 19, 2026

DDP is doing a nice job finding a home for that right hand over the top of Usman‘s guard. #UFCOKC

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 19, 2026

How is Usman eating those knees

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 19, 2026

DDP clearly in control 2-0. Right hands, left kicks and that left knee has been a difference maker. #UFCOKC

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 19, 2026

Post-fight reactions to Dricus du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman UFC Oklahoma City:

Usman is fighting his heart out. 39 years old and been rocked numerous times. Still showing that durability in championship mindset. #UFCOKC

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 19, 2026

Dricus du Plessis scores a unanimous decision win over Kamaru Usman (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 19, 2026

What a great scrap between two former champions #UFCOklahomaCity

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 19, 2026

Who would you like to see ‘DDP’ fight next following his impressive victory over Usman this evening in Oklahoma? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!