Dricus du Plessis is decided to forestall the legendary Kamaru Usman from reaching two-division glory within the UFC earlier than the latter retires.
Usman wished to reclaim the welterweight title in 2026 by dethroning Islam Makhachev after which transfer up as soon as extra to middleweight in pursuit of two-division glory.
However the matchmakers had different plans. Makhachev goes to defend his strap in August at UFC 330 in opposition to Ian Machado Garry. Earlier than that, Usman, who’s shifting as much as 185 kilos, will tackle former champion Dricus du Plessis in the primary occasion of UFC Oklahoma City on July 18.
Dricus du Plessis able to wreck Kamaru Usmanās two-division UFC dream
At 39 years outdated, āThe Nigerian Nightmareā has no time to waste and can solely search significant bouts that can get him nearer to a title shot.
Kamaru Usman will likely be seeking to safe a press release win over former 185-pound titleholder āStillknocksā earlier than probably incomes a shot on the UFC middleweight title, presently held by Sean Strickland. Nonetheless, the South African gainedāt let Usman have the fairy story ending to his UFC profession. Throughout a current interview with Fight Forecast, he stated:
āI count on him [Kamaru Usman] to come back with that physicality like he all the time does. Iām probably the most bodily man within the division. I do know Kamaru goes to deliver one of the best out of me. We’ve made certain that Iām one of the best Iāve ever been. The motivation is there for him to go win this combat, get a title combat, and journey off into the sundown with an incredible profession, however Iām not going to let that occur.ā
Try Dricus du Plessisā feedback under:
Usman vs. Du Plessis is predicted to be a wrestling-heavy affair if āStillknocksā fails to maintain the bout standing. Nonetheless, this high-stakes conflict can even permit the South African fighter to indicate how a lot his floor recreation and takedown protection have improved since shedding the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev final yr.
If Du Plessis can defeat āThe Nigerian Nightmare,ā he may have his title firmly within the combine for an additional title shot, which might imply a trilogy combat with āTarzan,ā whom he has already overwhelmed twice.
