UFC Oklahoma: Dricus du Plessis defeats Kamaru Usman in the main event and approaches the title — Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Jiu-Jitsu Federation: Two former world champions delivered a real 25-minute battle in the main event of UFC Oklahoma on Saturday (18). In a dispute between African protagonists in the middleweight category (84 kg), the best was Dricus du Plessis. Faced with a resilient Kamaru Usman, ‘DDP’ dominated most of the confrontation and emerged victorious in the unanimous decision of the judges.

With the triumph, the South African returns to the column of victories almost a year after being defeated by Khamzat Chimaev and losing the championship. Willing to reach the top again, Dricus du Plessis made an appeal to compete for the category belt in the next round. Currently, the title is held by Sean Strickland — rival that ‘DDP’ has recently won on two occasions.

“If you're a resilient fighter, that's how you do it. A main battle like this. That's the kind of warrior I want to be for the rest of my life. You deserve fights like this one today. It's great to be back in the winning column. I want to get the belt back. The high kicks were part of the plan. I got it right. And this guy has one of the hardest heads I've ever kicked in my life. And speaking of ‘title shot’, he said that a victory would not give me this dispute, but this type of performance does give me an opportunity to compete for the belt, "said ‘DDP’, before seeing his rival also speak.

“50-45, who was watching this? Things are as they are, he's a big, tough guy. I got a punch that thumb went into the eye, so it was hard. We win some and lose others. I didn't have a good night tonight. I can still (fight). I have to go back and reevaluate. Those who train with me know that I do my best. Coming here and not getting the result hurts a little. Either of the two (categories). Wherever I have the opportunity, I will fight,” projected the veteran, postponing an eventual retirement.

The Struggle

Kamaru feinted a drop in the opening seconds to test his rival's reaction. In response, Dricus hit him in the calf with a kick. With jabs and straight lines, the South African began to pose a danger to Usman. Sensing the danger on his feet, the Nigerian attempted the fall via ‘single leg’, but to no avail. Gradually, especially with jabs, the veteran started to equate the actions in the exchange. The partial closed with the athletes exchanging kicks at the waistline.

At the beginning of the second round, Dricus hit a close encounter knee in Usman's face, and made the opponent swing back and forth. Then a high kick exploded in the Nigerian's guard offering danger. Willing to avoid further attacks, Kamaru shortened the distance and stapled ‘DDP’ against the grid for a few seconds. Sharp, Usman suffered a ‘flashdown’ and became a fixed target in the octagon. Experienced, the veteran sought to cool the fight, but without much success. Already with his left eye swollen and compromised, Kamaru battled and finished the partial with good crusaders in the South African.

Behind the scoreboard, Usman came back more active for the third round, throwing jabs and stomps at the waistline. In response, Dricus kicked his dangerous face. Kamaru tried to grab the rival's leg, but saw the South African defend the attempt to fall. Persistent, the Nigerian improved the timing and, in the second attempt, managed to apply the fall. However, Du Plessis quickly rebounded and put the duel back on its feet. The final seconds of the round were more study of both parties, without blunt blows. 

More cautiously, the Africans exchanged kicks at the waistline at the start of the fourth round. With a high kick, Dricus made Usman swing. Then the South African connected a good jab and straight sequence. Sensing the danger, the Nigerian plunged into the legs of the rival. Telegraphing the entrance, however, the Nigerian was unsuccessful in taking the fight to the ground. Even at a disadvantage, Kamaru connected a powerful direct, which made Du Plessis retreat in the final seconds of the assault. 

Usman complained of a possible kick in Dricus‘ ‘low countries’ at the start of the fifth and final round. The arbitrator, however, did not intervene. Seconds later, the scene repeated itself and, this time, the judge interrupted the duel momentarily, so that the veteran recovered. On the way back, Du Plessis hit a high kick to the head that made the Nigerian groggy. Feeling the good moment, the South African set off up, but saw Kamaru offer danger with a counter-coup crusader. Surprisingly, ‘DDP’ sought the fall, but to no avail. With Dricus cornered, Usman began to march forward and take advantage of the exchange. In the final seconds, Du Plessis withstood a veritable ‘blitz’ imposed by the veteran.

Check out all the uFC Oklahoma results below:

Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman via unanimous decision

Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision

Chase Hooper beat Mitch Ramirez via submission in the first round

Fatima Kline defeated Tabatha Ricci via unanimous decision

Tommy McMillen defeated Alberto Montes via TKO in the third round

Jose Miguel Delgado defeated Austin Bashi via unanimous decision

Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani defeated Seok Hyeon Ko via unanimous decision

Felipe Franco defeated Levi Rodrigues Jr. via TKO in the second round

Ezra Elliott defeated Damien Anderson via unanimous decision

Alden Coria defeated Stewart Nicoll via unanimous decision

RJ Harris defeated Alvin Hines via TKO in the first round

Dione Barbosa beat Anna Melisano via submission in the first round

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