Jorge Masvidal says Dricus du Plessis needs ‘perfect fight’ to beat two-time rival Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman’s two-time rival Jorge Masvidal believes the former champ will make it look easy against Dricus du Plessis.

One of the most intriguing matchups of the summer will take place at UFC Oklahoma City when former titleholders Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman square off. Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, will move up to middleweight in a potential No. 1 contender bout against the former middleweight titleholder Du Plessis.

Du Plessis returns to the Octagon after a loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last year. The loss snapped a long unbeaten streak inside the UFC Octagon.

Despite avoiding another major weight cut, few are giving Usman a legitimate shot at rocking the middleweight division and handing a motivated Du Plessis a second-straight loss. One of Usman’s biggest rivals, Jorge Masvidal, believes his two-time foe could make it look easy at UFC OKC.

Jorge Masvidal: Kamaru Usman will make it look easy vs. Dricus du Plessis

In a recent episode of the Deep Waters show, Masvidal made a surprising prediction for Du Plessis vs. Usman.

“I don’t think [Usman] is anywhere near shot,” Masvidal said of Usman vs. Du Plessis.

“Usman can still contend for the belt. I think Du Plessis is a dangerous fighter, heavy-handed as hell. Super athletic. But Du Plessis almost has to fight a perfect fight to beat Usman. Usman I think beats him three, four times out of five. He’s just too complete everywhere and where Du Plessis is lacking, Usman is phenomenal with his wrestling and control.

“Usman is good enough with the hands that I don’t think he gets into too much trouble,” Masvidal continued. “Unless Du Plessis has made some dramatic, drastic changes from his last fight with Chimaev, and I don’t think he has in such short time. I don’t put it past him that he can’t prove a lot, but can he do enough to stop Usman’s wrestling? I don’t think so.”

Masvidal lost to Usman twice in their UFC careers, including by brutal knockout at UFC 261.

What is your prediction for Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman? Let us know in the comments!