OKLAHOMA CITY — Dricus Du Plessis will face Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18, 2026, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced the main event on Saturday during a broadcast.

The scheduled bout between Du Plessis and Usman will be a five-round contest in the middleweight division. The entire UFC Fight Night 281 card will stream on Paramount+.

Dricus Du Plessis, 32, holds a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses. He is a former UFC middleweight champion, having won the title by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024. Du Plessis defended his title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 2024, and then against Sean Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312 in February 2025. He lost the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025. Du Plessis is currently ranked as the No. 2 middleweight contender.

Kamaru Usman, 39, has a professional record of 21 wins and 4 losses. He is a former UFC welterweight champion, but lost his welterweight title to Leon Edwards in August 2022. Usman competed at middleweight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023, losing that fight via decision. He did not compete in 2024. Usman last fought in June 2025, defeating Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision at UFC Atlanta. He is ranked as the No. 9 welterweight contender.

This event will mark the UFC's third visit to Oklahoma City, and its first appearance in the city since 2017.