Kamaru Usman is returning 15 pounds north.
On Saturday, the UFC announced that the former welterweight champion will headline its Okahoma City card on July 18 against former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. It will mark his second time competing in the heavier weight class, the first being a decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev, who would clinch the title two fights later.
Thirteen months have passed since Usman’s last fight, a dominant headling decision win over Joaquin Buckley at 170. Will his middleweight return prove more successful?
After his win over Buckley, Usman called for a title shot in his post-fight press conference:
“Absolutely, like I said I only really had to use one skill tonight, and everyone knows I can knock you out with my hands but if you give me that, I’m gonna take it. Let’s be honest, I’m the biggest in the division and this is about entertainment, the UFC is an entertainment company. You want to make the biggest fight, it’s gonna be the winner of Jack (Della Maddalena) vs Islam (Makhachev). If Islam pulls that one out, the former pound-for-pound (number one) vs the current pound-for-pound number one, who doesn’t pay for that?”
Unfortunately, certain events have conspired to push him further down the hierarchy. Ian Machado Garry has won two straight to cement himself as the next challenger, while Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have emerged as top contenders.
At 39 years of age, Usman may also have to contend with an increasingly difficult weight cut. That cannot be helped by his purported history with knee problems, which he has tried to downplay at least once. Nevertheless, is going to middleweight the right choice?
Du Plessis, meanwhile, has been in limbo since losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev.
The expectation was that he would fight Nassourdine Imavov for the next title shot after Chimaev defeated Sean Strickland. Instead, Strickland won, and Chimaev decided to go to light heavyweight.
Hence, this booking. Despite a size advantage, du Plessis has more to lose than Usman. A win does not elevate his standing, even if he already has two wins over Strickland. A, loss, however, will be very catastrophic for his title prospects.
Usman does not need to take this fight. He already has a secure legacy as one of the most dominant welterweights ever, possessing a long winning streak and defending the title five times. Nevertheless, one can commend him for returning to middleweight to take on a very dangerous hard-hitter like Du Plisses.
Who knows? If he wins, than an unlikely rematch with Strickland awaits him, this time with the title on the line. So much has happened since they first met in 2017, and their development since then will be a major angle in the build…
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