UFC Fight Night 281 live results: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman
For the first time in eight years, the Octagon heads back to Oklahoma City for UFC Fight Night 281, taking place at the Paycom Center and airing on Paramount+.
The main event will have title contention ramifications on the line as former UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis takes on former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in the five-round middleweight headliner. Both men are coming in off long layoffs, as Du Plessis fights for the first time since losing the middleweight title in August, while Usman looks for his second straight win after scoring a win in his last outing in June 2025.
In the co-main event, it is a battle of ranked middleweights as Jared Cannonier takes on Christian Leroy Duncan. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Chase Hooper and Mitch Ramirez; a women’s strawweight fight between ranked contenders Tabatha Ricci and Fatima Kline; and a featherweight fight pitting Tommy McMillen against Alberto Montes.
PRELIMS | 5 PM ET | 2 PM PT
> Women’s Flyweights- Anna Melisano (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dione Barbosa (9-4, 3-2 UFC)
Barbosa lands a body kick and forces a clinch against the fence looking to get Melisano down. Barbosa scores a takedown and lands some shots from the top. Barbosa takes the back and is working for a choke. She lets go and gets back to the top. Barbosa controlling and looking for an arm-triangle choke. She now attacks the arm as Melisano rolls. Barbosa gets the back and locks in a neck crank. She lets go to land some punches. They scramble up but Barbosa jumps on the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Melisano taps! Barbosa with the dominant submission win.
Fight Result- Dione Barbosa def. Anna Melisano by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- RJ Harris (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alvin Hines (7-1, 0-1 UFC)
They both land leg kicks to start. Hines lands a leg kick and Harris lands a right hand. Hines with a leg kick. Harris lands a left hook. Harris drops Hines with an uppercut and starts landing a lot of punches from the top. Harris is pouring down shots from the back and it is stopped! What a finish by Harris!
Fight Result- RJ Harris def. Alvin Hines by TKO (punches) at 1:40 of Round 1
> Flyweights- Alden Coria (12-3 1 NC, 2-0 UFC) vs. Stewart Nicoll (8-3, 0-3 UFC)
Coria is pressing forward and lands an uppercut that hurts Nicoll. Coria lands and Nicoll circles away and backs up. Coria lands a right hand. Nicoll lands a left hand. They trade and Coria lands a leg kick. Nicoll looks for a takedown as Coria grabs the neck and they go to the fence. Nicoll is able to score a takedown. They get up and separate and Coria lands a combination. Nicoll works the jab and lands a right hand. Nicoll with a spin kick to the body. Nicoll scores another takedown. They get right back up along the fence. Coria switches to the back for a moment before they break apart. Nicoll scores a late takedown. 10-9 Nicoll.
Coria lands an early groin strike and timeout is called. They return to action and Coria lands a leg kick. Nicoll lands a leg kick. Nicoll with another leg kick. Coria works the jab and Nicoll lands a calf kick. Coria lands and Nicoll circles away. Nicoll lands a few right hands and then a left hand. Coria lands a flurry of jabs against the fence followed by a head kick. Coria with a body shot. Nicoll looks for a takedown but Coria reverses it and grabs the neck for a D’Arce choke. He lets go and they scramble up. Nicoll scores a big takedown. Nicoll looks for the back. They scramble up. Coria reverses to the back. Coria drags Nicoll to the mat and has the back as he lands. Coria has the hooks on. 10-9 Coria, 19-19.
Coria working the jab to start the third. Coria lands a right hand. Coria pressing forward as he lands the jab followed by a right hand. Coria lands a left hook. Nicoll lands a right hand and scores a takedown. They end up back on the feet and Coria lands a couple of combinations. Coria works the jab as Nicoll lands. Nicoll looks for a takedown but Coria defends as he grabs the neck. Coria looks for a guillotine choke from the full mount, but Nicoll escapes. They scramble as Coria has the back and lands. Nicoll is able to get the back of Coria. Nicoll is looking for a takedown. Coria grabs the neck and drops down for a gullotine choke, but Nicoll escapes. Coria still attacking the neck on the feet. They go to the mat as Coria works the neck. They end up going the distance. 10-9 Coria, 29-28 Coria.
Fight Result- Alden Coria def. Stewart Nicoll by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Featherweights*- Ezra Elliott (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Damien Anderson (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
*Elliott missed weight by 1.5 pounds
Anderson clips Elliott with some punches as Elliott was shooting for a takedown, and continues to land as Elliott chases the takedown. Elliott gets Anderson’s back along the fence and takes it down for a moment, and keeps control as they get up. They go to the mat as Elliott has back control. They get up, but Elliott takes Anderson back down. He has Anderson’s back as they stand. Elliott continues to attack the single leg. Elliott gets it down and Anderson looks for a guillotine choke. 10-9 Elliott.
Elliott with a body kick. Anderson lands a right hand. Elliott shoots for a takedown and Anderson briefly defends, but Elliott is able to score the takedown. Elliott is looking for an arm-triangle choke but takes the back. They get to their feet and Elliott has back control. Anderson lands a back elbow. Elliott scores a takedown and gets the back. They stand, but Elliott gets it back down. They get back up, but Elliott gets it back down. Anderson attacks an arm, but Elliott escaps and looks for a D’Arce choke. He lets go and lands an elbow and some short punches. Elliott attacks the D’Arce choke again. Elliott lets go and lands an elbow. 10-9 Elliott, 20-18 Elliott.
Elliott attacking the takedown early and scores a pair and gets on top of Anderson. Anderson tries to push him off, but Elliott maintains top control. They get back to their feet, but Elliott keeps control against the fence. Elliott gets it back down, but they get right up. They go back down, and Elliott lands from the back. They stand and Elliott keeps control. Elliott gets it back down. They stand and Elliott scores another takedown. Anderson reverses to the top and lands a left hand before they go the distance. 10-9 Elliott, 30-27 Elliott.
Fight Result- Ezra Elliott def. Damien Anderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Light Heavyweights- Levi Rodrigues Jr. (5-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Franco (10-2, 0-1 UFC)
Franco lands a jab. Rodrigues with a right hand. Rodrigues lands a hard right hand. Franco pushes it against the fence but is just holding on. Franco then gets a takedown, but Rodrigues forces it right to the feet. They separate. Franco lands a right hand. Rodrigues lands a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a flurry and is chasing Franco around. They both swing and land. Franco shoots for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Franco lands an elbow from inside the guard. Franco looks for an arm-triangle choke. Franco lets go but gets the mount. Franco with punches and big elbows from the top. 10-9 Franco.
Franco hurts Rodrigues with a right hand. Franco shoots for a takedown against the fence. Franco gets it down and takes the mount. Franco with some elbows. Franco starts landing big punches from the top and it is stopped! Franco gets the big finish.
Fight Result- Felipe Franco def. Levi Rodrigues Jr. by TKO (punches) at 1:40 of Round 2
> Welterweights- Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (10-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Seokhyeon Ko (13-2, 2-0 UFC)
Ko lands a leg kick. Lebosnoyani rushes in throwing but nothing connects. Ko with a leg kick followed by a left hand. They trade leg kicks and Ko lands a right hand. They tie up and Lebosnoyani scores a takedown. They get to their feet and separate. Lebosnoyani lands an overhand right as Ko landed a jab. They trade inside the pocket. Ko working the jab. Lebosnoyani lands a high kick. Ko back working the jab. Ko looks for a takedown but Lebosnoyani looks for a guillotine choke as they go to the mat. Lebosnoyani lets go and they end up back on the feet. Ko lands a jab. They both land in close range. They swing and land late. 10-9 Ko.
They trade in close range as Lebosnoyani lands a solid combo. Ko lands a body kick then a left hand. They both land inside the pocket. Ko with a straight left hand then a jab. Lebosnoyani lands a left hand. Ko gets another takedown and Lebosnoyani attacks for a guillotine choke. They roll as Lebosnoyani keeps neck control. Ko is fine as Lebosnoyani is trying to find the choke. Ko escapes and lands from the top. They scramble to their feet. Lebosnoyani works the jab and Ko lands a left hand. Ko lands another left hand. Lebosnoyani scores a big takedown. They get to their feet and trade. 10-9 Lebosnoyani, 19-19.
They trade to start the third as Ko is landing more, but Lebosnoyani lands a right hand. Ko back working the jab to some success. Lebosnoyani rushes in throwing and lands a right hand. Ko lands a standing elbow. Ko lands a left hand as Lebosnoyani was pressing forward. Lebosnoyani lands a body kick. Lebosnoyani rushes in and they trade punches. Ko lands a right hand. Ko lands a left hand. Ko with another left hand. Ko lands to the body as he ducks under a head kick attempt from Lebosnoyani. Lebosnoyani gets a big takedown. They get right up and Lebosnoyani has the back along the fence. They break and Lebosnoyani with a quick flurry. Lebosnoyani lands to the body. Close fight. 10-9 Lebosnoyani, 29-28 Lebosnoyani.
Fight Result- Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Seokhyeon Ko by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- Austin Bashi (14-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jose Delgado (11-2, 3-1 UFC)
Bashi lands a left hand and Delgado briefly goes down. He gets up and Bashi forces a tie up. They end up breaking apart. Bashi lands a left hand and grabs the back as they go to the fence. They separate and Bashi lands a combination. Delgado with a leg kick. Delgado lands a leg kick as Bashi stuns Delgado with a right hand. Bashi briefly gets Delgado down and has body control on the feet. Bashi with a slam takedown, but they pop right up and separate. They trade and Delgado lands a high kick. Bashi lands a right hand. Delgado drops Bashi with a right hand. Bashi shoots for a takedown and Delgado sprawls and lands. They get to their feet. Delgado lands a head kick and then a knee. Bashi hunts a takedown, but Delgado is landing. Delgado has the mount, but Bashi gives up his back. Bashi is busted open around the nose. 10-9 Delgado.
They trade leg kicks. Bashi shoots for a takedown, but Delgado defends. They trade along the fence. Delgado with a combination. They trade inside the pocket. Bashi lands a high kick. Delgado with a combo then a high kick. Delgado lands a counter right hand as Bashi was pressing forward. They go to the mat and Bashi has control. Bashi lands from the back before they stand. Delgado lands a body kick and Bashi looks for a takedown. Bashi scores a takedown and lands from the top. 10-9 Bashi, 19-19.
They clinch right up and briefly go to the mat, but separate on the feet. Delgado lands a combination. They’re both connecting as they circle around. Delgado shoots for a takedown, but Bashi defends. Bashi shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They break apart. Bashi lands a body kick. Delgado lands a body shot but stumbles. Bashi with a right hand. Bashi with a pair of left hooks. Delgado lands a right hand. Bashi grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine choke. He ends up letting go but is in the mount. Bashi is in the half-guard and lands an elbow. Bashi lands and rolls for a leg lock but time runs out. 10-9 Bashi, 29-28 Bashi.
Fight Result- Jose Delgado def. Austin Bashi by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT
> Featherweights- Tommy McMillen (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Alberto Montes (11-1, 1-0 UFC)
McMillen comes out firing and Montes lands a pair of right hands. McMillen lands a jab. Montes throws a kick and slips to the mat, and McMillen jumps inside the guard. They get to their feet and trade punches. McMillen lands a combination. Montes lands a jab and McMillen stumbles to the mat, but gets up. Both are still throwing and landing. McMillen lands a combination and a high kick and Montes was on shaky legs. McMillen hurts Montes with a right hand. McMillen continues to pour it on and lands to the body. McMillen with a knee to the body and lands some follow-up right hands. McMillen lands some more punches. Montes hurts McMillen with a counter punch. They are both swinging. McMillen lands at the end. 10-9 McMillen.
They immediately start trading. Montes lands a right hand. McMillen is pressuring with volume. McMillen mixes to the head and body. Montes lands a jab and McMillen fires back a jab. Montes lands a knee. McMillen with a right hand then a knee. McMillen continues to land flurries. Montes lands a leg kick and McMillen fires back with an uppercut and a knee. McMillen continuing to land with lots of volume. McMillen with a knee and a right hand. McMillen still pouring on the volume. McMillen with a knee and a combination then another knee as Montes throws. 10-9 McMillen, 20-18 McMillen.
McMillen lands an uppercut followed by some body shots that make Montes fall to the mat. McMillen lands from the top as Montes stays on his back. McMillen lets Montes up. McMillen with more body shots and combinations. McMillen just keeping it up there with volume. McMillen lands to the body. McMillen continues to land with lots of volume as he is mixing punches and knees. Montes is surviving but taking a beating. McMillen still hammering away and Montes is in tons of trouble. McMillen with more shots and it is stopped! What a performance by McMillen.
Fight Result- Tommy McMillen def. Alberto Montes by TKO (punches) at 3:29 of Round 3
> Women’s Strawweights- #7 Tabatha Ricci (12-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. #14 Fatima Kline (9-1, 3-1 UFC)
Kline with a high kick. They trade jabs. Ricci looks for a takedown, but Kline defends. Kline lands a right hand. Kline lands a combo with a high kick. They both land inside the pocket. They trade and Ricci looks for a takedown, but it is Kline that scores one, and then she scores a second one after they got up. They scramble up, but Kline keeps back control and gets another takedown. They stand and Kline lands an elbow on the break. Kline lands a right hand and a high kick, then scores a big takedown. Kline with some left hands from the back. Kline lands a knee on the way up. They trade in close range. 10-9 Kline.
They trade inside the pocket. Kline throws a kick and Ricci scores a takedown. They scramble to their feet and Kline lands a knee on the break. Ricci shoots for a takedown, but Kline defends and takes the back on the ground along the fence. Kline attacks the arm as they stand before landing a knee and elbow as they break. They trade right hands. Ricci looks for a takedown, but Kline sprawls and defends. Kline lands a body kick. Kline with a high kick. Kline grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence, but they separate. Ricci with a high kick. Kline lands a combo. They go to the mat and Kline is on the back and looks for a rear-naked choke but the round ends. 10-9 Kline, 20-18 Kline.
Kline lands a right hand. Kline lands another heavy right hand. Kline landing with more volume as they trade in close range. Kline scores two big suplex takedowns. They get to their feet and Ricci is just getting out-worked by Kline. Kline lands a clean right hand. Ricci rushes in but misses her punches. Kline lands a leg kick then a right hand. Kline with another right hand. Kline with a heavy calf kick. They trade inside the pocket. Ricci scores a takedown and is inside the guard of Kline. Kline staying active on the bottom. Ricci lands a hammerfist. They scramble up and Kline lands as she is now on top. Kline with punches from the back and lands from the top to end it. 10-9 Kline, 30-27 Kline.
Fight Result- Fatima Kline def. Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights*-Chase Hooper (16-5-1, 8-5 UFC) vs. Mitch Ramirez (8-3, 0-2 UFC)
*Hooper missed weight by 1.5 pounds
Hooper lands a high kick and a left hand. Hooper scores a takedown and has back control. Hooper briefly gets the mount but keeps the body triangle on. Hooper is working for a choke. His arm is under the chin of Ramirez. It is fully locked on and Ramirez taps. Hooper makes quick work.
Fight Result- Chase Hooper def. Mitch Ramirez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:15 of Round 1
> Middleweights- #11 Jared Cannonier (18-9, 11-9 UFC) vs. #12 Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2, 7-2 UFC)
Duncan lands some early leg kicks and a pair of left hands. Duncan with a front kick to the groin, but Cannonier continues quickly. Duncan with another front kick. Cannonier grabs a leg and looks for a takedown, but Duncan defends and lands a left hand. Cannonier pushes it against the fence. Cannonier is working for a takedown, but Duncan is defending. They briefly separate but neither land before Cannonier forces the clinch. Duncan scores a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. Duncan lets go and lands a big flurry of punches, knees and elbows. Cannonier runs away and Duncan lands some more knees and then a spinning elbow. Cannonier survives and gets a brief takedown and has body control. 10-9 Duncan.
Duncan lands a spin kick and Cannonier goes to the mat, and Duncan just misses landing an illegal shot as Cannonier was grounded. Cannonier grabs the clinch on the feet. Cannonier working for the takedown against the fence. They separate. They trade elbows while tied up. Duncan lands a left hand then a series of punches that had Cannonier hurt. Cannonier then tags Duncan with a right hand. Duncan hurts Cannonier with a spinning elbow. Cannonier lands a right hand. They both land elbows as they break a clinch. Duncan with a left hand and a knee. Cannonier scores a takedown. They scramble and Duncan has the back of Cannonier and lands. Cannonier grabs the fence a couple of times as Duncan lands. 10-9 Duncan, 20-18 Duncan.
Duncan throwing kicks but not really landing them, but he lands a pair of left hands. Duncan lands a left hand and they tie up. Cannonier is trying to drag it down, but Duncan defends and they separate. They clinch against the fence. Cannonier gets it down and has Duncan’s back as they stand. Cannonier keeps dragging Duncan down and they get right up. They separate. Duncan lands a pair of knees and follows with a flurry of shots. They both land short shots. 10-9 Duncan, 30-27 Duncan.
Fight Result- Christian Leroy Duncan def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Middleweights- #2 Dricus Du Plessis (23-3, 9-1 UFC) vs. #10 WW Kamaru Usman (21-4, 16-3 UFC)
Du Plessis lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Du Plessis lands a right hand. They both land right hands and Usman was briefly hurt. Du Plessis lands a right hand that tags Usman. Du Plessis with a leg kick. Du Plessis lands another right hand. They both land heavy shots inside the pocket. Du Plessis lands an uppercut. They both land jabs and Du Plessis with a leg kick. They tie up and Usman lands a right hand to the body and Du Plessis lands a knee. They break after a groin strike. Du Plessis with a high kick. Usman lands a right hand. Usman with a body kick. 10-9 Du Plessis.
Du Plessis lands a right hand. Du Plessis lands a knee as Usman was throwing and Usman is wobbly and hurt. They both land while nearly tied up and Usman was still wobbled. Du Plessis with a high kick. Du Plessis lands another knee as Usman looks for a takedown, but Du Plessis defends. They’re tied up against the fence. They separate. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Usman with a right hand. Du Plessis lands another knee. Du Plessis connects with a right hand. Du Plessis lands a big right hand and Usman is stumbled but is complaining of an eye poke and timeout is called. It wasn’t an eye poke so they continue. Du Plessis lands and Usman goes down. Usman gets up but eats some shots from Du Plessis. Du Plessis with another knee. They trade punches. Du Plessis lands a right hand. 10-9 Du Plessis, 20-18 Du Plessis.
They trade punches and Du Plessis lands to wobble Usman for a moment. Usman lands a right hand and Du Plessis lands a knee. Du Plessis lands a right hand and Usman lands one to the body. Du Plessis continues to land with more volume. Du Plessis lands a right hand. Usman starting to land more as the round goes on. Du Plessis lands a right hand and they trade late. 10-9 Du Plessis, 30-27 Du Plessis.
They trade right hands and both are landing evenly. Usman lands a body kick. Du Plessis rocks Usman with a head kick. Du Plessis lands a big right hand. Du Plessis with a knee as Usman looks for a takedown, but Du Plessis defends. Du Plessis connects with another right hand. They tie up and both land a knee before separating. Du Plessis lands a right hand and Usman counters with one. Usman connects with a solid right hand. Du Plessis with a knee. They trade body kicks. 10-9 Du Plessis, 40-36 Du Plessis.
Both looking for openings as they connect. Du Plessis lands a jab. Du Plessis with another jab. Du Plessis lands a combination. Du Plessis lands a groin strike and timeout is called. They get back to action and Du Plessis lands a head kick. Du Plessis with another head kick and Usman is hurt. Du Plessis fires another kick and lands a right hand, but Usman is swinging back. Usman with a left hand. Du Plessis shoots for a takedown, but Usman defends and lands a knee to the body. Du Plessis lands another head kick. Usman lands a body kick. Usman connects. Usman with a right hand. Usman lands another right hand as Du Plessis is tired. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis with an uppercut. Usman with a late flurry as they go the distance. 10-9 Usman, 49-46 Du Plessis.
Fight Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
MMA writer & live coverage specialist, contributor to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter