UFC Fight Night 281: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman – Event Details
The UFC heads to Oklahoma City for the first time in nine years with a crucial middleweight main event as former UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis takes on former welterweight king Kamaru Usman at UFC Fight Night 281. With both men holding victories over current middleweight champion Sean Strickland, a statement win could put either fighter right back into title contention.
Event Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 281
Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment
How to Watch
United States
- Main Card: 8:00 PM ET
- Preliminary Card: 5:00 PM ET
- Live on: Paramount+
United Kingdom
- Main Card: 1:00 AM BST (Sunday, July 19)
- Preliminary Card: 10:00 PM BST
- Live on: UFC Fight Pass
Main Event and Co-Main Event
Main Event
- Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman (Middleweight)
Co-Main Event
- Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Full Fight Card
Main Card
- Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman (Middleweight)
- Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
- Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez (Lightweight)
- Fatima Kline vs. Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
- Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes (Featherweight)
Preliminary Card
- Austin Bashi vs. Jose Delgado (Featherweight)
- Seokhyeon Ko vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (Welterweight)
- Felipe Franco vs. Levi Rodrigues (Light Heavyweight)
- Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
- R.J. Harris vs. Alvin Hines (Heavyweight)
- Dione Barbosa vs. Anna Melisano (Women’s Flyweight)
The event is headlined by a fascinating clash between former champions as Du Plessis looks to re-enter the title picture, while Usman aims to continue his successful move up to middleweight. The co-main event also carries major divisional implications, with veteran Jared Cannonier taking on rising contender Christian Leroy Duncan in another key 185-pound matchup.
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