UFC Fight Night Du Plessis vs Usman Predictions
UFC Fight Night Du Plessis vs. Usman is set to take place this weekend (Saturday, July 18, 2026) from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman as the main event.
Du Plessis has the advantage when it comes to volume and pace, having landed 5.18 significant strikes per minute compared with Usman’s 4.16 over their careers thus far. DDP is less accurate when it comes this output, but it’s all about building pressure, stance changes and awkward bursts that force opponents to have to react. The biggest issue for DDP is his 34% takedown-defense rate, and the Chimaev fight shows exactly why that number matters against elite chain wrestling. You can check out my fully breakdown and preview of the main event here.
The co-main event of the night will see Jared Cannonier take on Christian Leroy Duncan at Middleweight, plus Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez and Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes rounds out the main card.
UFC Fight Night Main Card Predictions
Here are my predictions for the main card of UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman this weekend from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City:
| Fight (odds) | Pick | Method |
| Du Plessis (-245) vs. Usman (+200) | Du Plessis | KO/TKO, R4 |
| Cannonier (+270) vs. Duncan (-340) | Duncan | Decision |
| Hooper (-380) vs. Ramirez (+300) | Hooper | Submission, R2 |
| Ricci (+370) vs. Kline (-485) | Kline | Decision |
| McMillen (-120) vs. Montes (+100) | Montes | Submission, R2 |
Jake is the Head of Audience Development at F4WOnline, having previously worked as a Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer, successful Editor in Chief and Sports Coordinator. He has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012.
He previously also worked for PROGRESS Wrestling as Head of Media as well as working on the social channels of the company.