Sean Strickland’s name resurfaces as Dricus du Plessis targets another former champ scalp

Sean Strickland’s UFC middleweight title reign is back in the spotlight as Dricus du Plessis targets another former champion scalp against Kamaru Usman this Saturday.

What’s happening in Oklahoma City?

A pair of former champions collide at UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs. Usman on Saturday, live at 7 p.m. ET on Paramount+ from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The five-bout main card pits second-ranked du Plessis against ninth-ranked Usman in a middleweight clash.

Du Plessis dropped a unanimous decision to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in April, ending his middleweight title run. Usman snapped a three-fight skid with a decision win over Joaquin Buckley on June 14, 2025. The betting markets reflect du Plessis’s edge, installing him as a -245 favorite at DraftKings while Usman sits at +200.

Why Sean Strickland matters here

Du Plessis’s resume includes wins over three former UFC champions-Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and **Sean Strickland**-the last of which came in a title bout in September 2023. That victory cemented Strickland’s place in du Plessis’s climb, and now the South African looks to add Usman’s name to the list.

Strickland, 34, hasn’t fought since his split-decision loss to Paulo Costa in August 2024. His reign as UFC middleweight champion lasted just one defense before the defeat. Still, his name carries weight in du Plessis’s path, tying the former champ’s legacy to this weekend’s showdown.

What’s at stake for both men

For du Plessis, a win over Usman keeps his title hopes alive. The 32-year-old holds the fourth-most UFC middleweight title wins with three, tied with Rich Franklin. A victory here would tighten his grip on the division’s top spot.

Usman, 39, seeks to silence doubts after his three-match slide. The former welterweight king owns a 15-fight UFC winning streak and five successful title defenses. A loss would further blur his legacy as the division’s most dominant champion.

Where to watch and what’s next

Paramount+ streams the full card at no extra cost. The main event starts at 7 p.m. ET, with du Plessis favored to extend his win streak and Strickland’s name still fresh in the title picture.

Betting analysts like Kyle Marley have weighed in, backing du Plessis as the safer play. But Usman’s pedigree and recent form make this a fight worth watching-especially for fans of Strickland’s brief but impactful reign.