Du Plessis Dominates Usman for Unanimous Decision Win
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- Dricus Du Plessis won a unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46), overwhelming Usman with power and volume while rocking him multiple times across all five rounds at the Paycom Center
- Du Plessis was fighting for the first time since losing the middleweight crown to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025, snapping a 9-0 UFC start and two title defenses
- Kamaru Usman moved up to 185 pounds after the UFC booked welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's first title defense against Ian Machado Garry, making this just his second middleweight bout
- Du Plessis landed a right hand on the temple that wobbled Usman in Round 1, then staggered him with knees to the head in Round 2, before badly hurting him with a huge head kick against the cage in Round 5
- Usman secured his first takedown late in Round 3 but failed to capitalize, and his final-round push of wild haymakers came too late to change the outcome
- Du Plessis improves to 24-3 and stays ranked No. 2 in the middleweight division, while Usman falls to 21-5
Why it matters: Du Plessis made a definitive statement in his first fight back from losing the belt, dismantling a former welterweight great who moved up specifically to face him. With Chimaev holding the title and Du Plessis firmly ranked No. 2 at middleweight, this performance immediately repositions him as the next top contender in line.
