Kamaru Usman: ‘It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam’ Makhachev next with UFC Oklahoma City upset win

Kamaru Usman has set his sights squarely on a title shot, declaring that a victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City must lead directly to championship gold. The former welterweight champion faces the recently dethroned middleweight titleholder in the main event of the card, held at the Paycom Center and streamed on Paramount+, and insists the stakes demand a title opportunity next.

"It's either Sean Strickland or Islam [Makhachev], if Islam is still the champion," Usman said at media day, naming the two fighters he views as logical next opponents. Strickland recently captured the middleweight title, while Makhachev continues to hold the welterweight crown—the belt Usman himself previously held. An upset win over du Plessis would mark a dramatic return to title contention for Usman, who has struggled to gain traction in recent years despite securing a decisive decision victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta roughly 13 months ago.

Usman's jump to middleweight is a calculated move after the UFC declined his push for an immediate welterweight title shot against Makhachev. He previously competed at 185 pounds when he faced Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC 294 in October 2023, losing a closely contested majority decision. Du Plessis, meanwhile, is returning for the first time since losing his middleweight title to Chimaev last August.

When asked if the middleweight division offers an easier path to gold than his crowded welterweight landscape, Usman was measured in his response. He acknowledged that the matchup "just made sense" and that the UFC had significant input in the decision, but he refused to characterize either division as easier. He cited the depth of talent at middleweight—pointing to fighters like Jared Cannonier, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho—as proof that a title run would be far from certain regardless of which weight class he targets. For Usman, an upset victory remains the only acceptable outcome.