Kamaru Usman calls himself a ‘moneyweight’ fighter before UFC return

Kamaru Usman is preparing for his return to middleweight action against former champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on July 18. Rather than committing exclusively to either the welterweight or middleweight division, Usman describes himself as a "moneyweight" fighter willing to compete where the most compelling matchups exist.

"For me, I've always said this. I'm a moneyweight fighter," Usman said. "So, it's not about '85 or '70. I can hit both. I'm not the biggest at both, and I'm not necessarily the smallest at both. I might be the smallest at '85, but who knows? But for me, it doesn't matter. I feel that I have the skills to be able to compete at either one. So, if it makes sense, I might be there."

The former UFC welterweight champion recently snapped a three-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision victory over 170-pound contender Joaquin Buckley. Rather than staying at welterweight, he opted for this high-stakes middleweight opportunity against Du Plessis.

Usman also noted that competing at 185 pounds simplifies his preparation—he no longer endures the severe weight cuts required at welterweight. His lone previous middleweight appearance came in 2023 when he accepted a short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev, resulting in a majority decision loss. Now, he seeks to prove his skill set translates at the heavier division against elite company.