UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman in Oklahoma City
The UFC returns to Oklahoma City for the first time in almost ten years, with the organization's debut appearance at Paycom Center headlined by two former champions. Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman will meet in the middleweight division in a fight that could significantly affect their positions in the current UFC hierarchy.
The event begins on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time. The main card is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Visitors therefore get a full-day schedule, from the first preliminary fights to the main bout between two fighters with experience winning and defending a UFC belt.
Du Plessis enters as the second-ranked middleweight contender and a fighter who has recorded finishes in 20 of his 23 professional victories. Usman arrives with a record of 21-4 and is attempting to enter the title race in a second weight class after a long reign at welterweight.
Tickets for this event are in demand. It is worth securing tickets in good time, especially for sections offering a direct view toward the center of the Octagon.
The main event brings together two different paths to the top
Dricus Du Plessis built his UFC career through a combination of physical pressure, an unusual rhythm and the ability to finish a fight with strikes or a submission. His movement sometimes appears unconventional, but behind the stance switches and sudden entries lies a clear intention: force the opponent to retreat, close off the space and turn the exchange into a physically demanding duel.
The South African fighter won the title by defeating Sean Strickland, then defended it against Israel Adesanya and again against Strickland. His run also included a stoppage victory over Robert Whittaker. He lost the belt to Khamzat Chimaev by unanimous decision, so his appearance in Oklahoma City represents his first step toward another title fight.
Du Plessis is particularly dangerous when he deprives his opponent of time to set up an attack. His strikes often come from unusual angles, and after entering the clinch he can connect strikes, a takedown and an attack on the neck. Opponents therefore cannot focus solely on defending in the stand-up.
Kamaru Usman brings a different profile. For years, the former welterweight champion relied on wrestling, control against the fence, a disciplined lead jab and exceptional pace management. His ability to chain takedown attempts is more important than one explosive attack. When an opponent defends the first entry, Usman often continues working from the clinch, changes his grip and forces the opponent to expend energy.
During his championship phase, Usman defeated Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal twice each, and he won the title against Tyron Woodley. After three consecutive losses, he returned to winning ways against Joaquin Buckley in June 2025. Over five rounds, he once again demonstrated controlled wrestling and won by unanimous decision.
The fight against Du Plessis will be his second appearance at middleweight. This is an important detail because he will not have to cut down to the welterweight limit, but he will face a naturally larger opponent accustomed to physical duels with 185-pound fighters.
Tactical points of the main event
The most important battle could take place at the distance from which Usman initiates a takedown. If he stays in front of Du Plessis for too long, he will expose himself to wide hooks, body strikes and knee attacks. If he enters too deeply without controlling the head position, Du Plessis can respond with a front headlock or a choke attempt.
On the other hand, Du Plessis must ensure that his pressure does not create space for Usman to enter toward the hips. Usman does not have to complete the takedown every time. It is enough for him to hold his opponent against the fence, slow the exchange and gradually take away his explosiveness.
Spectators in the arena should watch several elements:
- whether Usman can maintain the correct distance with his lead jab before attempting a takedown
- how Du Plessis reacts when his opponent locks his hands around the hips against the fence
- who imposes the pace after the third round, when the fight becomes a test of conditioning and concentration
- whether Du Plessis will use kicks to make Usman's entries more difficult
- whether Usman can control the top position without exposing himself to neck attacks and quick stand-ups
None of these elements guarantees victory. Adjustment during the fight is precisely what matters, because both fighters have experience in five-round main events.
Cannonier and Duncan fight for position in the middleweight division
The co-main event also belongs to the middleweight division. Eleventh-ranked contender Jared Cannonier faces thirteenth-ranked Christian Leroy Duncan. It is a matchup between an experienced former title challenger and a fighter trying to confirm that he belongs among the division's leading contenders.
During his UFC career, Cannonier has competed at heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight. At middleweight, he became known for powerful strikes, a solid stance and the ability to remain dangerous even when his opponent raises the pace. His notable victories include bouts against Marvin Vettori, Derek Brunson and Gregory Rodrigues.
He arrives in Oklahoma City after victories over Rodrigues, Caio Borralho and Michael Page. His task is to close the distance on Duncan, limit his choice of kicks and force him into exchanges in which timing and power matter more than eye-catching movement.
Christian Leroy Duncan presents a technically fascinating challenge. He is tall for the division, has a 79-inch reach and uses a broad repertoire of kicks. Ten of his 14 professional victories have come by knockout or technical knockout. In his most recent appearances, he defeated Eryk Anders, Marco Tulio and Roman Dolidze.
Duncan will try to keep the fight at middle and long range. Cannonier will probably attempt to reduce the space, force him toward the fence and make it difficult for him to switch stances freely. Duncan's kicks to the legs and body should be watched especially closely, as should Cannonier's right-hand counters when Duncan finishes a combination.
For the winner, this fight provides a strong argument in an extremely competitive division. Cannonier wants to maintain his position ahead of the younger challengers, while Duncan is trying to secure the most important victory of his UFC career so far.
Kevin Holland against undefeated Jacobe Smith
One of the most striking pairings on the main card brings together Kevin Holland and Jacobe Smith. Holland enters with a professional record of 29-15 and one no contest, while Smith arrives undefeated at 12-0.
Holland is an unpredictable fighter who can attack with long straight punches, knees, elbows from the clinch and submissions. His long reach allows him to land from distances at which many opponents feel safe. At the same time, fights against strong wrestlers have shown how important it is for him to defend the first entry and separate quickly from the fence.
Smith is a former wrestler associated with Oklahoma State University and enters the fight with clear regional support from the crowd. His wrestling background gives him the ability to change levels and punish Holland's upright stance. The key will be whether he can safely cross the distance without absorbing straight punches and knees.
Holland has significantly more experience against UFC competition, but Smith gets an opportunity to show how quickly he can move from prospect status to being a ranked contender. The matchup is a good example of the UFC testing new talent against an opponent who has already faced a large number of different stylistic challenges.
Fights that could define the earlier part of the evening
Chase Hooper and Mitch Ramirez meet in the lightweight division. Hooper is strongly oriented toward grappling, and half of his professional victories have come by submission. When he takes the fight to the ground, he actively transitions between positions and is not satisfied with control alone. Ramirez must therefore choose his moments for an aggressive entry carefully and avoid prolonged scramble situations.
In the women's strawweight division, Tabatha Ricci meets Fatima Kline. Ricci has a background in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and often seeks contact, a throw and control from the top position. Kline belongs to a generation of fighters who have developed transitions between striking and grappling from the beginning of their careers, so the fight could be particularly interesting in the clinch.
In the featherweight division, undefeated Tommy McMillen faces Alberto Montes. Austin Bashi fights Jose Miguel Delgado, while the preliminary card also includes Veronica Hardy against Dione Barbosa, Allen Frye Jr. against Alvin Hines, Levi Rodrigues Jr. against Felipe Franco and Alden Coria against Stewart Nicoll.
The announced schedule is subject to change until the day of the event, which is common for MMA events. Visitors should check the schedule again before departure.
What a UFC evening looks like from inside the arena
Watching the UFC live differs from watching a television broadcast. From inside the arena, it is easier to notice the speed at which corners give instructions, the sound of kicks, the crowd's reaction to a takedown attempt and the moment when a fighter begins to breathe more heavily. The crowd often reacts as soon as the position changes, even when the finishing hold has not yet been fully secured.
The production changes gradually as the program moves from the preliminary fights toward the main card. The entrance of the main fighters, the darkening of the stands and the introductions inside the Octagon create a clear climax to the evening. In this case, additional weight comes from the fact that two former champions with different styles and different motivations for returning toward the title are meeting.
Paycom Center is organized as a large indoor arena, but the experience depends on the seat location. Lower sections provide a better sense of the fighters' speed and physical power. Higher sections often provide a clearer angle for following movement, distance and the way the fighters use the entire Octagon.
Seats disappear quickly, especially when the main event features well-known names and when the UFC returns to a market that has not hosted an event for almost ten years.
Paycom Center and its downtown location
Paycom Center is located at 100 W. Reno Ave. in downtown Oklahoma City, directly beside Interstate 40. The arena opened in 2002 and regularly hosts basketball games, concerts and other sporting programs. The final capacity configuration for the UFC depends on the position of the Octagon, production equipment and closed sections.
The arena's location is suitable for visitors who want to combine the event with a stay in the city. Bricktown, Scissortail Park, Myriad Botanical Gardens and a number of hotels are located in the central area, so some attractions are accessible on foot or by public transportation.
The OKC Streetcar has a platform in front of Paycom Center. On Saturdays, according to the current city guide, the Bricktown Loop operates from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., and vehicles arrive at the central platforms approximately every 12 to 15 minutes. The timetable should nevertheless be checked on the day of the event because of possible changes and increased traffic.
For those arriving by car, garages and parking areas are available in downtown and Bricktown. Convention Center Garage at 15 Mick Cornett Dr. has 1,106 spaces, including 24 spaces adapted for people with disabilities. Because multiple events may attract visitors to downtown at the same time, arriving earlier reduces the risk of having to search for more distant parking.
The pickup and drop-off location for transportation-service users is near the intersection of Second Street and Harvey Avenue, west of the arena.
Entry, bags and Paycom Center rules
The preliminary card is listed as beginning at 4:00 p.m., but a specific door-opening time has not yet been announced. Paycom Center states that opening times for visiting programs vary from event to event. It is advisable to arrive early enough for the security check, to find the seat and to explore the arena before the first fight.
Before departure, it is important to consider the entry rules:
- bags must be smaller than 6 x 9 x 2 inches and are inspected upon entry
- professional cameras with interchangeable lenses and lenses longer than 3 inches are not permitted
- tablets, laptops, selfie sticks, tripods and recording devices are not permitted
- outside food and beverages generally cannot be brought inside
- the arena is cashless, and cards are accepted at points of sale
- re-entry is not permitted after leaving the arena
Larger items are best left at the hotel or in the vehicle. The arena does not store items that fail the security check. Metal detectors, manual screening and bag inspections may be used at the entrances.
Visitors who require an accessible route can use elevators and adapted seating, while Convention Center Garage has marked accessible parking spaces. For specific requirements related to seating or entry assistance, it is useful to contact the arena before the event.
Planning the entire day in Oklahoma City
The early start means that lunch, transportation and parking should be planned before the afternoon crowds. Visitors staying in Bricktown or downtown can avoid some road traffic by arriving on foot or by streetcar. Those coming from outside the city center should allow additional time for the I-40 exits and entry into garages.
No fixed ending time has been announced. The duration depends on the number of rounds, breaks between fights and any changes to the program. Because the main card begins at 7:00 p.m., no commitments with a strict starting time should be planned for the rest of the evening.
Ticket sales for this event are underway. When choosing a seat, it is useful to decide whether the priority is proximity to the fighters' entrances, a view toward the center of the Octagon or a broader overview of movement and work against the fence.
Sources:
- UFC - event announcement, published fight card, rankings, professional records and fighter profiles
- UFC - results from the previous appearances of Dricus Du Plessis, Kamaru Usman, Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan
- Paycom Center - starting time, address, program schedule, arena history and visitor rules
- Visit Oklahoma City - information about the OKC Streetcar, city garage, parking and downtown Oklahoma City