Du Plessis Returns to Win Column
Dricus Du Plessis secured a unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday. The South African fighter, returning to the Octagon after a loss in August, demonstrated a strong performance in the main event held at Paycom Center. Judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favour of Du Plessis.
This win marks a return to form for Du Plessis, who had previously lost his middleweight championship. He entered the fight as the number two contender. Following his victory, Du Plessis expressed his desire for another title opportunity, aiming to regain the belt.
Du Plessis’s performance showcased his striking ability, as he outlanded Usman significantly in strikes. His right hand and left high kick were particularly effective throughout the fight. The initial rounds were notably one-sided, with Du Plessis reportedly hurting Usman multiple times. While Usman made the later rounds more competitive, Du Plessis maintained control and inflicted more damage.
With this win, Du Plessis’s professional record now stands at 24-3-0. He had previously won his first nine consecutive fights in the UFC before his championship loss.
Usman’s Recent Performance
For Kamaru Usman, a former welterweight champion, the loss to Du Plessis continues a challenging period. This defeat marks his fourth in his last five bouts. Usman has also recorded an 0-2 record in the middleweight division.
Despite the recent setbacks, Usman stated his belief in his continued ability to compete at a high level. He acknowledged the need to reassess his approach after the fight. UFC CEO Dana White also commented on Usman’s performance, suggesting that the fighter still possesses his capabilities and had a strong showing.
Usman previously held the welterweight title for over two years, successfully defending it five times. His last fight before facing Du Plessis was against Joaquin Buckley last June. This was his second time competing at middleweight in his UFC career, with his first middleweight bout being a loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023.
Undercard Bouts
In other action at UFC Oklahoma City, Melissa Melisano made her debut against Barbosa. Barbosa secured a quick tapout victory with a standing rear-naked choke. Melisano attempted to escape the submission, but Barbosa maintained control, leading to the tapout.
Another notable fight saw Harris defeat Hines. Harris delivered a powerful uppercut that sent Hines to the mat, followed by ground and pound. The fight was stopped by the referee. Harris, emotional after the win, mentioned his wife’s pregnancy in his post-fight interview.
Coria also faced Nicoll on the card. Coria consistently landed strikes and defended against Nicoll’s takedown attempts. In the final round, Coria secured a tight guillotine choke, causing Nicoll to slump over, though the grip loosened as time expired. Judges Ben Duffy and Tyler Treese both scored the rounds 10-9 in favor of Coria, resulting in a 30-27 score for Coria.
The event, also known as UFC Fight Night 281, commenced on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
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Source: sherdog.com
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
