Kamaru Usman Set to Dominate Du Plessis in Oklahoma City Showdown

**Kamaru Usman** will headline the summer UFC Oklahoma City card as he squares off against former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, a bout that Jorge Masvidal says demands a flawless performance from the South African to stand a chance.

Usman, the two‑time welterweight champion, is moving up to middleweight in what many are calling a No. 1 contender clash. A win would thrust him into the conversation for a title shot in a division that has been reshaped by recent upsets. Du Plessis, fresh off a loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last year, is eager to rebound and prove his place among the elite.

On the *Deep Waters* podcast, Masvidal, who lost twice to Usman-including a brutal knockout at UFC 261-argued that Usman's wrestling and overall skill set make him a daunting opponent. “Du Plessis almost has to fight a perfect fight to beat Usman,” he said, adding that the former champion “beats him three, four times out of five.” The former welterweight champion’s grappling, control and striking depth leave little room for error, according to Masvidal.

Usman's wrestling has been the backbone of his reign, allowing him to dictate pace and position. Against a heavy‑handed, athletic fighter like Du Plessis, that advantage could translate into ground‑and‑ pound that the South African struggles to answer. Masvidal highlighted that unless Du Plessis makes “dramatic, drastic changes” from his Chimaev loss, his chances look slim.

Du Plessis is known for his power and speed. If he can land a clean, high‑impact strike early, he might disrupt Usman's rhythm. However, Masvidal doubts such a scenario will happen without a strategic overhaul. The fight will likely test whether Usman's transition to middleweight can be as seamless as his earlier weight‑class dominance.

A victory for Usman would set up a potential title eliminator against the current middleweight champion, while a loss could catapult Du Plessis back into contention. Fans and analysts will be watching closely, especially after Masvidal’s bold prediction that the former welterweight champ will “make it look easy.”