Dricus Du Plessis blasts Kamaru Usman for delaying contract

Dricus Du Plessis says Kamaru Usman dragged his feet before signing to face him at UFC Fight Night Oklahoma City on July 18.

Speaking on the Fight Forecast YouTube channel, Du Plessis claimed UFC brass told him they had to persuade Usman to agree to the bout. "Now I know you didn't wanna sign the contract," the South African said, per MMA Mania. "I know that for a fact. When I spoke to UFC, they said, 'We've finally convinced him to sign.'"

Du Plessis eager to rebound from Chimaev loss

Du Plessis has not fought since Khamzat Chimaev handed him his first loss in over three years last August at UFC 319, snapping an 11-fight win streak with a dominant grappling performance. The former middleweight champion was scheduled to return in April but withdrew with an injury. "I was supposed to fight in April, got the injury," he said. "Man, I think that was all for a reason because the fire in me to get back in there is like never before."

The bout with Usman gives Du Plessis a chance to prove the Chimaev defeat was a one-off and that his wrestling defence has improved. "I wanna go out there and prove what I've done," he said. "Now I am more complete, and I was a complete fighter. But now I am complete in all areas, and I can't wait to go and show that."

Du Plessis opened as a heavy betting favourite when the matchup was confirmed earlier this week. The card takes place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dricus Du Plessis pans Kamaru Usman for fight delay: ‘You didn’t want to sign the contract’