Kamaru Usman targeting two-division UFC title at Oklahoma City

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will pursue two-division gold when he faces Dricus du Plessis this Saturday at UFC Oklahoma City.

Usman shifted to middleweight after a welterweight title fight with Islam Makhachev failed to materialize, MMA Mania reports. Rather than wait for another shot at 170 pounds, he accepted the 185-pound main event against du Plessis at Paycom Center. Usman fought at middleweight once before in a loss to then-champion Israel Adesanya.

Usman eyes exclusive 'champ-champ club' with Strickland rematch in sight

The move makes sense for multiple reasons. Usman already owns a 2017 win over current middleweight champion Sean Strickland, while du Plessis holds two victories over Strickland and is working his way back to title contention after losing the belt. A win over du Plessis positions Usman for a rematch with Strickland at much higher stakes.

When asked about becoming a two-division champion during UFC Oklahoma City media day, Usman confirmed his ambitions. "That's the one club I'm not in yet," he said, per MMA Mania. "I'd like to be in that club. I like being in all of the clubs here, but I'm focused right now, trying to get into the champ-champ club."

Usman called himself a "moneyweight fighter" who will compete anywhere from welterweight to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight if the opportunity is right. He enters the fight as a plus-200 underdog against du Plessis, one of the division's strongest and most unorthodox middleweights.

UFC Oklahoma City goes down Saturday, July 18, at Paycom Center.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC OKC’s Kamaru Usman aiming for a chance to become two-division champion – ‘I’d like to be in that club’