Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman Odds Released
All betting lines are pointing toward South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis over the former welterweight king Kamaru Usman. The UFC Oklahoma City main event has drawn heavy interest from punters, with Du Plessis entered as a dominant favorite and Kamaru Usman looking to reignite his title hopes at 185.
UFC Oklahoma City main event betting has Du Plessis as a heavy favorite, with some books listing him at -340 and Usman at +270. Other books show the line at -350 for Du Plessis and +285 for Usman. The fight is booked for July 18, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, available on Paramount+.
South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis won the UFC middleweight title from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024 and would later lose it to Khamzat Chimaev in a one-sided five-round championship match in August 2025. The South African athlete is looking to get back in the win column and start building back towards a chance at the middleweight throne.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” Kamaru Usman is a former long-reigning UFC welterweight champion with a 21-4 record and 16-3 UFC mark. He may be best known for his stunning knockout of Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, one of the most heavily wagered cards of the year across Florida betting apps.
Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman Odds
Du Plessis is the clear favorite to win. Most analysts see a knockout or submission more likely than a decision. Some experts projects a 70% win probability for Du Plessis, with 9 career knockouts and 11 submissions backing that up. Usman, a former welterweight champion, opens as the underdog after losing his middleweight debut to Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC 294, but coming off a welterweight win against Joaquin Buckley most recently.
Du Plessis says Usman tried to duck him for this matchup, adding heat to the card. Du Plessis later said the UFC was “convinced” Usman to finally accept. For Usman, a win puts him in middleweight title contention after his welterweight reign ended. For Du Plessis, this is a bounce-back fight following his last title loss, and a win solidifies his spot as the top 185-pound contender.
Bettors looking for method play will see Du Plessis by KO/TKO as the natural favorite, given his career breakdown and Usman’s recent middleweight struggle against elite grapplers and strikers. Du Plessis should have a size advantage as he has spent most of his career at middleweight. Additionally, Usman is on the downside of his career, having won only one match in his last four. For fans and bettors, this July showdown in Oklahoma City is shaping up as one of the most bet-on midweight clashes this year.
