Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman UFC Tips – DDP to produce the perfect reaction

Conrad Castleton

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Last updated: 16 Jul 2026

Conrad Castleton 16 Jul 2026

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Du Plessis has won 9 of 10 UFC fights; Usman just 1 since Nov 2021
Size & striking favor Du Plessis, Usman has lost 3 of last 4
Prediction: Du Plessis to win by decision

Dricus du Plessis (Getty Images)

Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Preview
Dricus Du Plessis Form
Kamaru Usman Form

Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Preview

Dricus Du Plessis lost the middleweight title last time out, but he has a natural size advantage and is the better striker compared to Kamaru Usman. DDP remains one of the very best in the 185lb ranks and is backed to bonuce back.

Dricus Du Plessis has won 9 of his 10 UFC fights
Kamaru Usman has won just 1 fight since November 2021
Kamaru Usman has lost 3 of his previous 4 fights

Dricus Du Plessis Form

Dricus Du Plessis is a former UFC middleweight champion with a professional record of 23-3 (9 KOs, 11 Subs).

Du Plessis debuted in the UFC in October 2020 and wasted little time in climbing the 185lb ladder as he won five straight fights to land a title eliminator.

He knocked out Markys Perez in the first round in his debut, and followed that up with a second-round stoppage of Trevin Giles and a unanimous decision victory over Brad Tavares.

The 32-year-old South African the submitted Darren Till in the third and knocked out Derek Brunson in two rounds to set up an eliminator showdown with former champion Robert Whittaker.

Du Plessis took that fight, winning by second-round knockout, and then completed his rise to the top of the division with a split decision success against Sean Strickland in January 2024.

‘DDP’ tapped out Israel Adesanya in the fourth round in his first defence, and then beat Strickland on points in their rematch.

He failed to make a third successful defence though, as he was beaten on points by Khamzat Chimaev last August to surrender the middleweight title.

Kamaru Usman Form

Kamaru Usman is a former UFC welterweight champion with a career record of 21-4 (9 KOs, 1 Sub).

Usman landed in the UFC back in July 2015, winning The Ultimate Fighter tournament with a second-round submission of Hayder Hassan.

From there he quickly rose up the welterweight division, reeling off unanimous decision wins over Leon Edwards, Alexander Yakovlev, Warley Alves and Sean Strickland.

The 39-year-old Nigerian then registered his first knockout win in the UFC as he took out Sergio Moraes in the second round, and that was followed by further points successes against Emil Weber Meek, Demian Maia and Rafael dos Anjos.

That victory over RDA earned Usman a shot at the welterweight title, and he took his opportunity by out-pointing Tyron Woodley over five rounds.

In his first defence he knocked out Colby Covington in the final round, and that was followed by a points win against Jorge Masvidal and a third-round knockout of Gilbert Burns.

Usman then took the rematch with Masvidal – this time via second-round knockout – before turning back the challenge of Covington again, winning on points.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ saw his reign finally end in 2022 though, as he was sensationally knocked out in the final minute by Leon Edwards, and when the two men met again the following March he dropped a majority decision to ‘Rocky’.

That was followed by a majority decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in 2023, but he did rebound in June of last year as he finally snapped his losing skid with a points win over Joaquin Buckley.

Verdict

Dricus Du Plessis v Kamaru Usman

A prime and motivated Kamaru Usman is a danger to most fighters, but the lack of activity – and wins - is a major concern.

Dricus Du Plessis has been active, has been competing against the very best at 185lbs, and he is the more natural middleweight - combine that with his superior striking and we expect a victory for the former champion.