Du Plessis dominates Usman to reignite UFC title hopes
Du Plessis controlled the contest with superior striking, repeatedly troubling the Nigerian with powerful combinations and well-timed knees .
Dricus du Plessis took a major step back towards UFC title contention with a dominant unanimous decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
The former UFC middleweight champion delivered a composed and clinical performance, winning all five rounds on the judges’ scorecards (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to strengthen his case for another shot at championship gold.
Du Plessis controlled the contest with superior striking, repeatedly troubling the Nigerian with powerful combinations and well-timed knees in the opening rounds.
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His physicality and relentless pressure proved too much for Usman, who struggled to match the South African’s pace over 25 minutes.
Despite the convincing victory, Du Plessis was full of praise for his opponent after the fight.
“If you are a wrestling-dominant fighter and you fight in a main event like that, this is a man I will respect for the rest of my life,” Du Plessis said during his post-fight Octagon interview.
“That man came to give each and every one of you who paid your hard-earned money a proper fight. Not a fight where guys lie on each other for 25 minutes to get some dumbass decision win.”
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The victory puts Du Plessis firmly back in the conversation for another UFC middleweight title opportunity.
