UFC Oklahoma City preview and predictions: Does Kamaru Usman have anything left for Dricus du Plessis?

After nearly a decade away, the UFC will return to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Former champions once again take center stage over back-to-back weekends, as both Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman return to action. Usman, the former UFC welterweight titleholder, gives middleweight another chance after dropping a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023, while du Plessis, coincidentally, enters Saturday’s headlining bout off his title fight loss to Chimaev last August.

UFC Oklahoma City has a lot of big matchups for rising prospects on the cusp of making serious moves into contention. The card is fine overall, topped by an oddly unique clash.

👑 UFC OKC's lineup Crown grade: C-. 👑

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185 pounds: Dricus du Plessis (-250) vs. Kamaru Usman (+200)

Believe it or not, neither of these dudes have fought in nearly a year.

Realistically, Saturday’s main event hinges entirely on how well du Plessis learned from his lopsided title loss to Chimaev. It was a wrestling clinic strong enough to make grown men cry — which it did for some, thanks to its lack of entertainment levels.

Usman is one of the best wrestlers in UFC history and has all the tools to drown and smother du Plessis in a sea of single-legs and mat returns. But the physical differences between these two are where the x-factor lies. Usman is 39 years old and more inactive than he's ever been, returning to a division 15 pounds heavier than his old 170-pound home.

A bigger, more awkward former champion of du Plessis' caliber isn't anywhere near slowing down. At age 32, he's still in the prime of his career with many good years left ahead of him. "DDP" is a modern-day bruiser of the highest caliber. He seeks to inflict damage at any turn and angle, including those most don't even see coming.

Usman has always been an underrated striker. He has a great jab, and if he catches that chin clean, he can send consciousness into another stratosphere. Just ask Jorge Masvidal. (Sorry, Jorge.)

The problem with this matchup is that everything outside of wrestling favors du Plessis. And I mean everything. That obviously didn't matter when the same could be said about Joaquin Buckley in Usman's last fight, but that was back down at welterweight. Father Time doesn't play games, and Usman is about to get greeted with a reality check.

Pick: du Plessis

185 pounds: Jared Cannonier (+275) vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (-350)

Like du Plessis, Jared Cannonier hasn't fought since UFC 319 in August 2025. In that time, Christian Leroy Duncan has leveled up with two great wins, and now rides into Saturday looking better than ever on a four-fight win streak.

Cannonier seemingly hasn't aged like a normal human being, looking phenomenal at age 42. However, his performances have slowed drastically. Outside of catching Gregory Rodrigues, three of his past four fights have ended with him outpointed everywhere.

Cannonier going from Michael "Venom" Page as an opponent straight into Duncan is almost mean of the matchmakers. You're essentially giving Cannonier a bigger, more dangerous version of "MVP." It's a fight Cannonier has to make ugly or wild, otherwise he's getting picked apart en route to a highlight-reel finish. Duncan is too fast and too young, with tons of momentum on his side.

Pick: Duncan

155 pounds: Chase Hooper (-350) vs. Mitch Ramirez (+275)

The oddsmakers have far too much belief in Chase Hooper here after two tough losses to Lance Gibson and Alexander Hernandez. Those opponents are certainly a notch above Mitch Ramirez though, which is why this fight is happening.

Despite the lopsidedness of that betting line, Hooper should still be the favored party. He brings in heaps of experience for still just being 26, and while his submission and scrambling abilities have always been his best attributes, his striking has gradually improved over time.

Ramirez seemingly delivers Hooper a glass chin on a silver platter for the rebound possibility, however Hooper’s durability is worth questioning as well, after being viciously beaten down arguably much earlier than you'd like to see for a young prospect.

This fight is much more of a coin flip than the oddsmakers will have you believe, just because Hooper can be caught, but ultimately he does have the better overall game and has fought better competition. Hooper’s still the pick here.

Pick: Hooper

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115 pounds: Tabatha Ricci (+360) vs. Fatima Kline (-475)

Fatima Kline has been tipped as the future of strawweight for a hot minute now.

Her rise through the ranks has been much more of a slow burn than we may typically expect, but the talented striker has developed some serious groundwork to boot, working consistently with elite-level grappler and flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield.

Against Tabatha Ricci, Kline has a proficient grappler to worry about. This fight feels destined to hit the mat in a way that’ll require either woman to hold top position for momentum to sway their way. If one goes down, the fight will likely stay there until further notice.

Kline is simply too creative of a striker to fall behind Ricci, and she'll be fine in grappling exchanges. It's a damage game, and Kline delivers with every combo.

Pick: Kline

145 pounds: Tommy McMillen (-150) vs. Alberto Montes (+125)

A great featherweight prospect matchup opens the main card of UFC OKC.

Tommy McMillen is clearly someone the UFC is investing in, given the tepid matchmaking in his UFC debut. Montes, on the other hand, was given a stiffer test in his debut in the form of past “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Ricky Turcios, but shined brightly nonetheless.

Stylistically, McMillen is just a wild man, which is eye-catching. He’s not the most technically sound guy in the world, but has managed to let fights come to him before unleashing a never-ending onslaught of offense. Admittedly, he somehow looks like he's fighting in slow-motion, despite the amount of volume he throws his opponents’ way.

Montes brings much more composure and a nice lateral-moving stance that allows for a strong kicking game. He'll be the clear matador in this matchup, assuming he doesn't get overwhelmed by flurries.

It’ll be a space game, and both are finishers. Montes is just the more polished of the two, and that shows in their fights. With that said, don't touch this one if you're a bettor.

Pick: Montes

Preliminary Notes

Austin Bashi is another one of those prospects who entered the UFC with plenty of steam, only to be brought back to Earth. He rebounded with a nice win off his debut loss, but there's still plenty left to be desired and the spotlight will be on him in the final prelim.

Also, after her controversial win over Melissa Gatto, Dione Barbosa is back. Expect her to be a bit more wary of strikes to downed opponents as she tries to start a run at flyweight.

Quick picks:

• Austin Bashi (+100) def. Jose Miguel Delgado (-120)

• Ko Seok-hyeon (-235) def. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (+190)

• Levi Rodrigues Jr. (-175) def. Felipe Franco (+145)

• Alden Coria (-1200) def. Stewart Nicoll (+750)

• Alvin Hines (-145) def. RJ Harris (+120)

• Dione Barbosa (-550) def. Anna Melisano (+400)

• Ezra Elliott (N/A) def. Damien Anderson (N/A)