UFC star Dricus du Plessis back in the winners' circle after dominant performance

The former UFC middleweight champion showed his all-around skills as he bossed his way to a unanimous decision win, taking the scorecards 50-45, 49-46, 49-46. The victory was his first since losing the title to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025.

Du Plessis found his range early and had Usman wobbled in both the first and second rounds. His high kick from southpaw found its target with alarming regularity, as did several looping right hands.

Usman's path to victory was his ground game, but the Nigerian Nightmare struggled for takedowns. Du Plessis discouraged attempts with vicious knees almost every time Usman shot forward. Usman wore a couple of them.

In round three, another right hand from du Plessis caught Usmans left eye, sending him reeling and the fight was stopped with claims of an eye poke. But the replay showed du Plessis' fist was closed and the action swiftly resumed. Usman finally executed a successful takedown, only for the Pretoria native to bounce right back up again.

Usman landed a perfect straight jab combo in the fourth, his best strike of the fight. But a durable du Plessis brushed it off and continued to press forward.

The fifth and final round saw an impressive late rally from Usman as he searched for a KO. He flailed at a visibly tiring du Plessis in the dying embers of the fight, forcing him to cover up to survive the melee. But the 32-year-old knew he had already done enough to win the bout and he raised his hands on the buzzer.

UFC overlord Dana White presented du Plessis and Usman with Fight of the Night bonuses of $100 000 each.

"That was the hardest head I've ever hit in my life," said the Team CIT fighter in the octagon interview.

READ MORE: Dricus du Plessis welcomes blockbuster bout against MMA great Kamaru Usman