Usman Says He Learned of Du Plessis Bout Only When UFC Announced July 18 Headliner

Conflicting accounts about how the fight was offered highlight short-notice preparation with direct implications for the middleweight title picture.

Overview

The UFC has officially booked Kamaru Usman to face Dricus du Plessis in a five-round main event on July 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Usman told the Pound 4 Pound podcast that he was surprised by the matchup and only confirmed it when the promotion announced the card after months of discussions and his requests for a fight.
Du Plessis publicly said Usman hesitated before signing a contract, creating competing narratives that both camps now accept as they prepare for the fight.
Analysts note Usman’s limited activity since June 2025 and the short turnaround to return to middleweight could affect him against a larger opponent while Du Plessis seeks to rebound after losing the 185-pound title.
Sportsbooks opened lines favoring Du Plessis, the card will stream on Paramount+, and the winner is likely to re-enter immediate middleweight title conversation.