Preview: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman

Dricus Du Plessis takes on Kamaru Usman in a middleweight clash that brings together two fighters with contrasting paths and skill sets. This UFC matchup carries significance for both competitors as they look to make statements in one of the promotion’s most competitive divisions.

What to Watch

Du Plessis enters this contest with the wrestling foundation and top-control game that has defined much of his UFC tenure. His ability to dictate pace on the mat and accumulate damage through ground positioning will be a central element of his game plan. Usman, meanwhile, brings his own grappling credentials along with striking volume and ring generalship developed over years at welterweight before his move up to middleweight. The fight’s trajectory will likely depend on where these two fighters spend their time—whether Du Plessis can impose his wrestling early or whether Usman’s experience and output keep the contest on the feet.

Both men have faced elite competition and shown the mental toughness required to succeed at this level. Expect wrestling exchanges that reveal technical advantages and potential scrambles that expose conditioning. The jab and movement of Usman versus the pressure and takedown threat of Du Plessis creates a natural technical friction worth following.

Stylistic Themes

This matchup centers on the classic wrestling-versus-volume striking framework. Du Plessis operates as a fighter who seeks to control and grind, while Usman has built his reputation on forward movement, output, and the ability to perform effectively over extended periods. A key variable will be Usman’s adjustment to the middleweight weight class and how his power and timing translate at 185 pounds. Du Plessis, conversely, will test whether his grappling translates against a fighter whose career was built largely in a lighter division with different physical dynamics.

Ring positioning and distance management will be critical. Usman’s comfort working in the pocket and maintaining activity differs markedly from Du Plessis’s preference for closing range and engaging in clinch work. The fighter who controls the distance and dictates where the action takes place will likely control the fight’s outcome.

How to Follow

This UFC event airs on ESPN+. The main card begins on July 19, 2026, at 1:45 AM UTC, which translates to late evening on July 18 for North American viewers depending on time zone. Fans can stream the fight live through the ESPN+ platform, which requires a subscription. For those planning to watch, accounting for the early morning start time in many regions is essential for catching the action as it unfolds.

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