Dricus du Plessis Calls for a Title Shot After Dominant Win Over Kamaru Usman

When the lights dimmed at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma on Saturday night, most fans expected another gritty contest. What they got instead was a masterclass from South Africa’s own Dricus du Plessis, who turned the bout into a one‑man show against former two‑division champ Kamaru Usman.

From the opening bell du Plessis set the rhythm, striking with crisp jabs and a pressure that left Usman constantly on the back foot. The former ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ tried to shake things up in the later rounds, slipping into his trademark wrestling and netting a couple of takedowns, but the South African was quick to scramble back to his feet, never allowing the veteran to stay grounded for long.

Every time the fight returned to the stand‑up, du Plessis seemed to get more confident, peppering Usman with calculated punches and kicks. The referee’s scorecards reflected that dominance — a unanimous decision in favor of du Plessis, with all three judges awarding him the clear edge.

In the post‑fight octagon interview, du Plessis was asked about his future. “When it comes to the title shot, I said a win wouldn’t give me a title shot. But damn, a performance like that would get me a title shot,” he said, a grin playing on his lips. The confidence was palpable, and the UFC brass could hardly ignore it.

It’s worth noting that du Plessis entered the fight not as a fresh‑cut rookie but as a proven contender. He’s 10‑1 in the UFC, with signature victories over the likes of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Darren Till. Moreover, he already has two wins over the current middleweight champion Sean Strickland – a split‑decision win at UFC 297 and a dominant unanimous decision at UFC 312.

Even before the Usman showdown, du Plessis was candid about the difficulty of securing another title chance after losing his own belt to Khamzat Chimaev last year. Yet the way he dismantled Usman – a fighter who once held both the welterweight and middleweight crowns – has reignited the conversation.

Fans and analysts are now buzzing: does this performance finally earn him the rematch he’s been chasing, or will the UFC look elsewhere? One thing’s for sure – du Plessis didn’t just win; he sent a loud, unmistakable message that he believes he belongs at the very top.

As the dust settles, the middleweight division remains wide open, and du Plessis appears more determined than ever to step into the spotlight once again. Whether the UFC grants his request soon or not, the South African’s star is undeniably on the rise.