Dricus Du Plessis rocks Kamaru Usman for unanimous decision win at UFC OKC

Dricus Du Plessis secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City, with scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.

Both fighters entered the bout as former champions with little room for error at middleweight. The opening two rounds featured heavy exchanges, but Du Plessis consistently found the better range and timing. Round three saw both men operate more cautiously, though Du Plessis maintained his edge despite Usman's late takedown attempt.

The decisive moment came in the fourth round when Du Plessis landed a left high kick that visibly staggered Usman, even as the former welterweight champion raised his guard. Du Plessis pressed forward with follow-up punches that rocked Usman multiple times. Though Usman answered with a right hand of his own and remained competitive, he had already fallen too far behind on the scorecards. Both men brought high intensity into the fifth round, with Usman throwing desperately and at one point hurting Du Plessis, but the damage Du Plessis had inflicted earlier proved decisive.

The win returns Du Plessis to the middleweight title picture following his loss to Khamzat Chimaev. He now appears positioned for a potential rematch with current champion Sean Strickland. Usman, meanwhile, drops to 0-2 at 185 pounds and must reassess his place in the division.

In the co-main event, Christian Leroy Duncan earned a three-round decision over veteran Jared Cannonier with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. Duncan's youth and speed advantages were evident early, with his kicks and punches hurting the 42-year-old Cannonier badly enough to force a tactical reset. However, Cannonier's developed takedown game disrupted Duncan's rhythm repeatedly, keeping the fight closer than expected. Duncan's fifth straight victory positions him for a marquee matchup next, possibly a title eliminator, while Cannonier's fourth loss in five fights raises serious questions about his future.

Chase Hooper made quick work of Mitch Ramirez with a submission victory in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds at catchweight (158 pounds) after missing lightweight. Hooper moved laterally to force pursuit, shot for a takedown, took Ramirez's back after a scramble, and locked in a rear-naked choke for the tap. The win snaps Hooper's two-fight knockout loss streak. Ramirez fell to 0-4 in the UFC.

Rising strawweight Fatima Kline dominated Tabatha Ricci across three rounds with a comprehensive display of striking and grappling superiority. Kline controlled the fight from the canvas, landing high-amplitude takedowns and slamming Ricci repeatedly, even nearly finishing a rear-naked choke as the second round ended. Round three saw Kline rack up style points with striking combinations and additional mat returns, showcasing her growing mastery over the division.