Du Plessis vs. Usman Headlines UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City
Two former UFC champions will step into the Octagon on Saturday night as second-ranked middleweight Dricus du Plessis battles ninth-ranked Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs. Usman. The five-bout main card is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, streaming exclusively on Paramount+.
Du Plessis enters the fight as a -205 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, while Usman is a +170 underdog. The over/under for total rounds is set at 3.5. Both fighters are coming off critical wins and losses that have reshaped the middleweight division, making this bout a pivotal moment for their careers and the title picture.
Key Fight Details and Odds
The main event features a matchup of two elite grapplers with contrasting styles. Du Plessis, 32, is known for his relentless pressure, strength, and striking volume. Usman, 37, is a former welterweight champion who has moved up to middleweight and seeks to prove he belongs among the division’s elite. According to SportsLine MMA expert Kyle Marley, who has returned over $21,000 for $100 bettors since May 2018, this fight could offer significant betting value. Marley has released his top picks for the card, including an underdog pick he describes as an "aggressive wrestler who fights at a high pace."
Why This Fight Matters: Stakes and Recent Form
Du Plessis’s Road to Redemption
Du Plessis (23-3) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in a middleweight championship fight. That defeat ended a four-fight winning streak that included victories over Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. In the Chimaev loss, du Plessis gave up 12 takedowns and more than 22 minutes of control time, exposing a vulnerability that Usman will seek to exploit.
Despite that setback, du Plessis remains confident. In a recent interview with CBS Sports, he dismissed concerns about Usman’s wrestling, saying: "Kamaru Usman is used to being the bully in a fight... but now he's dealing with someone like me who, from a strength scale, there isn't even going to be a comparison." He added that Usman is "probably underestimating my wrestling and grappling abilities."
Usman’s Middleweight Resurgence
Usman (21-4) ended a three-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN: Usman vs. Buckley in June 2025. This will be his second fight at middleweight after a short-notice majority decision loss to Chimaev three years ago. Usman took that first middleweight fight with just one week to prepare and nearly won, which has fueled his belief that a full training camp will make all the difference.
"As a welterweight, when you have to cut the weight and really diet to go through that process of getting down, you build a way to sustain that energy and how to be efficient in the fight," Usman said. "I think when I went in there in that middleweight bout with Khamzat Chimaev, I was..." The former welterweight champion now understands how to operate as a full-fledged middleweight and believes a win could immediately line him up for a title shot against current champion Sean Strickland, whom both he and du Plessis have beaten.
Expert Picks and Fight Card Highlights
SportsLine Expert Kyle Marley’s Track Record
Kyle Marley, who has been providing MMA picks for SportsLine since 2018, has a strong record of hitting main-event underdogs. In 2020, he correctly picked five consecutive main-event underdog winners following the UFC’s pandemic pause. Over the past three-plus years, $100 bettors following his picks are up nearly $10,000. He went 11-3 on his last card.
For Saturday’s event, Marley is backing Dione Barbosa (-675) to win via submission over Anna Melisano in a women’s flyweight preliminary bout. "Melisano is making her UFC debut here, and she looks like a decent offensive striker," Marley said. "She does have defensive issues though, and Barbosa should have a clear grappling edge. I'll take Barbosa to get this fight to the ground and grind out minutes, or lock up a submission."
Other Key Bouts
In the co-main event, Jared Cannonier faces Christian Leroy Duncan in a middleweight bout that oddsmakers expect to end early. Pickswise notes that both fighters have seen the majority of their fights end by KO/TKO, and backing the fight to end by that method at +115 odds offers substantial value. Cannonier has 14 KO/TKO wins in 27 career fights, while Duncan has 10 in 16.
Another featured bout features Chase Hooper taking on Mitch Ramirez in a lightweight contest. Hooper is favored to win by finish at -150, with analysts pointing to his high pace and finishing ability.
Broader Implications for the Middleweight Division
This fight is more than a matchup of former champions; it is a litmus test for the middleweight division’s future. With Sean Strickland holding the belt, both du Plessis and Usman have a direct path to a title fight with a win. For Usman, a victory would cement his move to middleweight and extend his career as a multi-division contender. For du Plessis, it would be a statement that his loss to Chimaev was an aberration and that he remains a top threat.
The event also highlights the growing importance of streaming platforms for UFC broadcasts. Paramount+ is now the exclusive home for all UFC numbered events and Fight Night cards, a shift that comes amid broader changes in sports media rights. For fans, this means a subscription to Paramount+ is required to watch live fights, including Saturday’s event.
As the UFC continues to expand its global footprint, matchups like this one—featuring two well-known former champions with contrasting styles—help sustain fan interest between pay-per-view events. The outcome could also influence future matchmaking, as a win for either fighter would create a clear contender for the middleweight title.
For those looking to place bets, SportsLine’s Marley has released his full card predictions, including an underdog pick he believes will surprise many. With the main event looming, all eyes are on Oklahoma City for what promises to be a decisive night in the middleweight ranks.
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