South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis set for UFC comeback fight vs Kamaru Usman
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will be back in action next month
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Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will be back in action next month when he faces former welterweight king Kamaru Usman in Oklahoma City.
Du Plessis has not been inside the Octagon since losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev last year, a defeat that brought an end to his impressive winning streak in the UFC.
The 31-year-old was outgrappled over five rounds by Chimaev, who used his elite wrestling to neutralise Du Plessis and win the championship belt.
The former champion is understood to have spent much of his time away working on improving his wrestling and grappling.
However, Usman will provide another tough test for the "Stillknocks". The former welterweight champion returned to winning ways in his last fight and will be looking to continue his rise in the middleweight division.
The Nigerian-born fighter is widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, having enjoyed a dominant reign as champion before moving up to middleweight.
Du Plessis said he is feeling refreshed and motivated ahead of his return after an injury-delayed return.
“I was supposed to fight in April, but got the injury. Man, I think that was all for a reason because the fire in me to get back in there is like never before. I’m feeling great. Camp is going great," Du Plessis told the Fight Forecast YouTube channel.
"Now I know he did not want to sign the contract, and I know that for a fact. I spoke to the UFC, and they said we finally convinced him to sign. If you need convincing to sign, that's a problem, but I don't blame him. I would also not want to fight me right now."
