Du Plessis has won his return to the UFC with a major decision over Usman | Mixed Stories of War

The South African fighter held the middleweight belt from January 2024 until mid-August 2025, when he lost to Chimaev.

Dricus Du Plessis leaned on his South African roots in his first fight in nearly a year to defeat Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Oklahoma City.

The judges scored the contest 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 in favor of Du Plessis (24-3 MMA), who won his first nine UFC fights and held the middleweight belt from January 2024 until mid-August 2025.

Du Plessis had not fought since that victory was taken by Khamzat Chimaev, who is still the champion.

“I had to wake up,” said the 32-year-old. “There are a lot of South African kids who love me.

“He’s older than me, I can’t sleep.”

In a fight that was fought continuously with no takedowns or submission attempts, Du Plessis never looked rusty, finishing 139-99 on the edge of a complete knockout and scoring 136 to Usman’s 92.

Usman (21-5) was the UFC welterweight champion for nearly three years from March 2019 to November 2021. ⁠However, the Nigerian, 39, has lost his last four fights, and was unable to add a second straight win to his first fight in 13 months this week.

In the main co-main event, England’s Christian Leroy Duncan (15-2) defeated Jared Cannonier (18-10 MMA) via unanimous decision. The score cards read 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 for Duncan.