Dricus Du Plessis Starts as Strong Betting Favorite Against Kamaru Usman

Dricus Du Plessis Starts as Strong Betting Favorite Against Kamaru Usman

Dricus Du Plessis has opened as a significant betting favorite ahead of his scheduled middleweight showdown with Kamaru Usman, as UFC finalises plans for the main event in Oklahoma City on July 18, 2026.

The South African champion, widely known as “Stillknocks,” is listed at around -350 with major sportsbooks, while former welterweight champion Usman, nicknamed “The Nigerian Nightmare,” enters the matchup as a +285 underdog.

The early odds suggest strong market confidence in Du Plessis despite Usman’s experience and championship pedigree.

The fight marks a long-awaited booking after multiple delays and shifting plans, with UFC confirming the clash as the headline bout for the Paycom Center event in Oklahoma City.

It pits two elite grapplers with contrasting recent trajectories against each other in a high-stakes middleweight contest.

Du Plessis (23-3) has been out of action since dropping his 185-pound title in a defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Prior to that setback, he had built a strong reputation in the division with a series of high-profile wins and a reputation for relentless pressure and durability inside the Octagon.

Usman (21-4), meanwhile, returns to a different division after competing at welterweight for most of his UFC career.

The former champion has had an inconsistent recent run but comes into the bout off a notable win over Joaquin Buckley in Atlanta in 2025, a result that signaled his continued competitiveness at elite level.

The Oklahoma City card will also feature several notable supporting bouts, including Amanda Ribas against Fatima Kline at strawweight, and a flyweight clash between Veronica Hardy and Dione Barbosa.

Veteran names such as Brad Tavares, Jared Cannonier, and Kevin Holland are also expected to appear on the lineup.

With betting markets already leaning heavily toward Du Plessis, attention now turns to whether Usman can defy the odds and reassert himself against one of the division’s most aggressive champions.