UFC Fight Night heads to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday the 18th of July (early Sunday the 19th of July in South Africa) with a huge middleweight showdown topping the bill as former UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis takes on former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. We cover the Main Event as well as two additional bouts from the Main Card from a betting front below.
Click here to bet on the full fight card.
DRICUS DU PLESSIS vs KAMARU USMAN
Middleweight – Main Event:
Dricus Du Plessis enters this headline contest holding an outstanding UFC record of 9 wins and 1 loss. The South African enjoyed a remarkable rise to the middleweight title winning his first nine fights in a row under the promotion and making a name for himself through his solid striking credentials and skillset on the canvas.
He comes into this matchup following a unanimous decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025 after successfully defending his title against Sean Strickland by unanimous decision earlier that year. Before that he submitted Israel Adesanya to retain the championship after claiming the belt with a split decision victory over Strickland.
Kamaru Usman arrives with an exceptional tally within the organisation of 14 wins and 3 losses. The former welterweight champion remains one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation thanks to his elite wrestling, relentless cardio and championship experience despite entering the latter stages of his career.
His latest appearance resulted in a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025 following consecutive defeats to Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards after previously losing his welterweight title to Edwards via a dramatic fifth-round knockout. Prior to that setback Usman had established himself as one of the greatest champions in UFC history and he was riding a 13 fight winning streak.
BETTING – click here to bet
Du Plessis 1.38
Usman 3.15
PREDICTION:
Usman’s wrestling and championship pedigree ensure he remains a dangerous opponent but the move up to middleweight against one of the division’s biggest and most physical fighters presents an enormous challenge. Du Plessis has consistently found ways to overwhelm elite opposition with his pressure, durability and finishing ability. I expect the South African to defend the takedowns often enough before taking over during the middle rounds and earning a stoppage victory.
JARED CANNONIER vs CHRISTIAN LEROY DUNCAN
Middleweight – Co-Main Event:
Jared Cannonier enters this matchup holding a resume of 9 wins and 9 losses since his UFC debut in 2015. The experienced American has remained a fixture near the top of the middleweight rankings for several years thanks to his explosive knockout power and willingness to engage in exchanges.
He comes into this matchup after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Michael Page in August 2025 following an impressive fourth-round knockout victory over Gregory Rodrigues. Before that he endured consecutive defeats against Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov but had previously recorded notable wins over Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland.
Christian Leroy Duncan arrives to the octagon this weekend with a UFC record of 7 wins and 2 losses. The English prospect has steadily climbed the rankings with his dynamic striking and athletic movement while establishing himself as one of the division’s most exciting contenders.
His latest appearance resulted in a unanimous decision victory over Roman Dolidze after previous knockout wins against Marco Tulio and Eryk Anders. Before that he defeated Andrey Pulyaev by decision after bouncing back from his only recent setback against Gregory Rodrigues. Notably five of his seven UFC victories have come by knockout.
BETTING – click here to bet
Cannonier 4.25
Leroy Duncan 1.25
PREDICTION:
Cannonier’s experience and knockout power can never be underestimated but Duncan enters in excellent form and appears to be improving with every performance. He has shown superb movement, speed and striking variety although I believe he will battle against Cannonier’s experience at the highest level. In the end I think that Leroy Duncan will get the breakthrough and find a late knockout triumph.
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CHASE HOOPER vs MITCH RAMIREZ
Lightweight – Main Card Bout:
Chase Hooper enters the event with a UFC record of 8 wins and 5 losses. The American remains one of the lightweight division’s most dangerous submission specialists and has frequently shown his ability to capitalise whenever opponents allow the fight to reach the mat.
He comes into this bout following consecutive knockout defeats to Lance Gibson Jr. and Alexander Hernandez after previously putting together an impressive five fight winning streak. During that run he defeated Jim Miller, Clay Guida, Viacheslav Borshchev, Jordan Leavitt and Nick Fiore while collecting three submission victories.
Mitch Ramirez, fighting out of America is still searching for his first victory inside the institution after losing his first two outings against Thiago Moises and Mike Davis, with both defeats coming via knockout.
His latest appearance resulted in a second-round knockout defeat to Mike Davis after previously suffering a third-round stoppage loss against Thiago Moises. Ramirez now faces another stern examination against a proven UFC fighter looking to bounce back.
BETTING – click here to bet
Hooper 1.29
Ramirez 3.85
PREDICTION:
Hooper has suffered back-to-back defeats but still possesses a significant advantage on the ground against an opponent yet to win inside the UFC. Ramirez has shown vulnerabilities throughout his first two appearances and Hooper’s grappling should eventually become the deciding factor. I expect Hooper to secure a submission victory inside the opening two rounds.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Du Plessis vs Usman
Du Plessis by KO at 3.25
Cannonier vs Leroy Duncan
Leroy Duncan by KO at 3.15
Hooper vs Ramirez
Hooper by Submission at 2.80
The Treble at 28.66
All 3 of my bets to land works out to 28.66 and you can use this code to follow: 8616464
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
