Kamaru Usman caught off guard by UFC Oklahoma, claims Dricus Du Plessis fight was ‘mentioned’ but ‘not offered’

Kamaru Usman has stated he was caught off guard by the UFC Oklahoma booking, clarifying that a fight against former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis on July 18 was only casually mentioned to him and never formally offered. The news was reported on July 2, 2026, by MMA Mania. Du Plessis has suggested Usman was hesitant about the matchup, while Usman disputes the characterization of the negotiation process.