Dricus du Plessis says Kamaru Usman fight signed, blasts delay

Dricus du Plessis has signed his side of a rumored fight with Kamaru Usman but says the former welterweight champion is holding up the announcement.

The bout, expected to headline UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, remains unofficial despite du Plessis claiming he put pen to paper weeks ago. In an Instagram post, per Sherdog, the former middleweight champion suggested Usman is scared to finalize the deal. "So apparently a little someone agreed to a fight but actually signing the dotted line isn't that easy when you know you're just signing for a show purse," du Plessis wrote. "Smart-Yes Scared-Definitely Sorry people the announcement is taking longer than expected but from my side it's been signed and sealed for a while."

What the matchup means for both fighters

Du Plessis has not competed since losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev last August. The South African won the belt by beating Sean Strickland in 2024, then defended it twice against Israel Adesanya and Strickland in a rematch. His 23-3 record includes wins over Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson.

Usman snapped a three-fight skid with a decision over Joaquin Buckley last June, his first appearance in 20 months. The 21-4 Nigerian has not held gold since Leon Edwards knocked him out in 2022. A win over du Plessis would put him back in the middleweight mix after years at welterweight.

UFC Fight Night 281 at Paycom Center already features Kevin Holland against Jacobe Smith and Jared Cannonier opposite Christian Leroy Duncan. The promotion has not confirmed a main event.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Dricus du Plessis says next fight contract ‘signed and sealed,’ accuses foe of delaying