Kamaru Usman size concerns emerge before UFC Oklahoma fight

Fans voiced concern over the apparent size gap between Kamaru Usman and Dricus Du Plessis after the two fighters faced off Thursday ahead of their middleweight main event at UFC Oklahoma.

Usman, a former welterweight champion moving up in weight, and Du Plessis will clash Saturday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Social media erupted with comments about the physical difference between the two fighters during their pre-fight staredown, per MMA Mania.

Usman addresses critics ahead of middleweight test

Du Plessis, who lost his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last summer, enters as a minus-230 betting favourite. Usman has fought just once in the past year, stopping Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta in June 2025.

The rarely-active Usman told CBS Sports he still carries motivation from perceived slights. "I don't want to say it's a bad thing to always feel underappreciated but I think it's just a little extra chip on your shoulder that you need to go out there to perform," he said.

Usman added that critics have mocked his injury history, particularly jokes about his knees. "I have had even worse injuries than that. It is what it is. Let them keep joking. I just have to go in there and prove them wrong every time."

UFC Oklahoma goes live on Paramount Plus this Saturday night. Usman carries a 21-4 record into the bout, while Du Plessis stands at 23-3.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Kamaru Usman fans in a state of panic after UFC Oklahoma staredown — ‘Size difference is ridiculous’