Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman look to put themselves into title contention as they collide in a high stakes main event.
Two former UFC Champions meet when Du Plessis faces Usman at Middleweight.
The event will take place on Saturday 18 July at the Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
The fights will begin at 5 PM ET with the Early Preliminary Card, followed by the Preliminary Card at 7 PM ET and the Main Card at 9 PM ET.
Our article will give you our two best bets for the main event, as well as the current moneyline odds for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman.
Du Plessis vs. Usman: betting picks and predictions
Dricus Du Plessis to win via KO, TKO or Decision (-175)
An intriguing match-up awaits as Du Plessis (23-3-0) returns to action for the first time since losing his Middleweight title when he faces Usman (21-4-0).
The South African was largely controlled by Khamzat Chimaev in what was a dominant performance from the Chechnyan fighter 11 months ago.
Du Plessis did become the first to take down Chimaev in the fifth round, as he tried to make a late surge to keep his belt.
The fight ended with the usual high pace and chaos that we have come to expect from the 32-year-old, who despite often being criticised for imperfect technique, had won nine in a row in the UFC, with six finishes, before losing his title.
Usman is a former dominant welterweight champion, who made one previous appearance at 185lbs in a close majority decision loss to Chimaev.
Moving back down to 170lbs last June, the 39-year-old put in a dominant display in a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley.
Du Plessis has two wins over now champion Sean Strickland and his chaotic style is prime to be able to put a dent in the flow of someone with the technical eloquence as Usman.
Expect the South African to keep pushing the pace and to get his hand raised in the end.
Over 3.5 rounds (-180)
Even in the twilight of his career and up at 185lbs, Usman is a formidable opponent.
His title reign included wins in big rivalries against the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley.
Losing only three times in the UFC, the Nigerian Nightmare has only been stopped once, by a dramatic late head kick KO by Leon Edwards in 2022.
Du Plessis has four KO/TKO wins and two by submission in the UFC but his wins need to be attritional and via an accumulation of damage.
While Usman has the wrestling chops to be able to handle some of Du Plessis’ offence, at this stage of his career against someone with the strength, will and cardio of the South African is likely to get his way the longer the fight progresses.
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman odds
Dricus Du Plessis | Kamaru Usman | |
Moneyline | -245 | +200 |
By Decision or Technical Decision | +175 | +450 |
By KO, TKO or DQ | +205 | +525 |
By Submission | +800 | +2200 |
Dricus Du Plessis | Kamaru Usman | |
By KO, TKO, DQ or Submission | +145 | +425 |
By KO, TKO, DQ or Decision | -280 | +205 |
By Submission or Decision | 125 | -105 |
Total Rounds | Over | Under |
1.5 | -550 | +375 |
2.5 | -280 | +210 |
3.5 | -180 | +140 |
4.5 | -125 | -105 |
Fight To Go The Distance | Yes | No |
-115 | -115 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
