UFC Oklahoma Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Main Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ

The UFC is taking the action down south for a huge 13 fight card at UFC Oklahoma. The card features many high level match ups but none with more anticipation then the main event of Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman.

The bout will mark the debut at middleweight for former champion Kamaru Usman. Many fans are highly anticipating the wrestling exchanges between the contenders as Du Plessis attempts to show improvement.

The Co – Main event is also exciting as rising middleweight prospect Christian Leroy Duncan takes on long time contender Jared Cannonier. The match up will be the biggest of Duncans career and will determine his career trajectory with the UFC.

The Main card will also kick off with a bang as Tommy McMillen takes on Alberto Montes. The brawling heavy style of McMillen produces fireworks every time, especially against such a game fighter like Montes.

Tonight's Main card is sure to answer many MMA fans questions about some top prospects. The card is almost upon us so lets not waste anymore time and get right into a preview of UFC Oklahoma live from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma city!

All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 7/18/2026 10:22 A.M

Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Preview – Welterweight

The Main Event of UFC Oklahoma is one with very high stakes. Dricus Du Plessis makes his return to the octagon to take on Kamaru Usman with a middleweight title shot on the line.

Due to the rematch of Sean Strictland and Khamzat Chimaev still being up in the air, it is likely this main event will produce a new #1 contender. It should also be mentioned Chimaev was already planning on moving up to LHW, so his return is highly in question.

MMA fans actually have not seen Dricus Du Plessis since losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev 1 year ago. The former champion has taken the year off to improve and sharpen some of his skills, including wrestling.

In his first run to the title Du Plessis made a name for himself with his awkward style. It seemed as if he was losing many fights, until he turns the tides and comes from behind for the victory.

For most of the run he showed great offensive wrestling, often driving thru the legs to secure takedowns. A move that requires a mass amount of strength to be successful.

In the striking department Du Plessis continued to hold his own collecting many finishes along the way. In fact he started his career with the UFC red hot with 2 straight knock out finishes.

Since he has shown more diversity in his game collecting 2 submission victories, though he dropped his opponents before hand. A question early in his career was always his cardio which has been answered in my opinion.

He has collected 3 other decision victories along the way proving he has the cardio to go the distance. This includes going 5 rounds twice with Sean Strictland, a known cardio machine.

Will Du Plessis Get Back On Track?

The move to take a full year off to work on his greatest weakness shows his motivation at this point in his career. After all, Du Plessis is only 32 years old and could just be entering his prime.

Du Plessis was taken down and controlled for 90% of his fight against Chimaev so it is safe to say it was the right move. The UFC has given him the perfect match up to test those wrestling improvements.

Kamaru Usman is the former long reigning welterweight champion and a legend with the UFC. Many consider him to be one of the greatest welterweights of all time.

This bout will be taking place at middleweight though, which is a whole different beast to tame. To make matters a little worse, Usman is now 39 years old and his knees are worse then ever.

Usman is also coming off a long lay off as MMA fans have not seen him since his upset victory over Buckley 13 months ago. I tend to wonder if the long lay off was due to match making or the fact his knees will not allow him to be as active anymore.

The weakness in Usman's knees has come from a very long career of wrestling. He has racked up 19 UFC bouts at this point in his career, with a record of 19-3.

Can Usman Overcome His Age To Earn A Title Shot?

Usman went on an incredibly impressive run at Welterweight. He won the belt back in 2019 over Tyron Woodley and then proceeded to defend the belt 5 straight times.

The run came to an end with a thunderous head kick knockout against Leon Edwards. The knockout came as a shock to the world as Usman was putting on a career performance with 4 rounds of pure domination.

The knockout loss marked the beginning of the end for Usman, who went on to lose back to back fights following. The 3 fight losing streak proved Usman may be losing a step with his age.

The bounce back victory over Buckley 1 year ago was promising but now he is moving up to middleweight. I do not believe giving up size is beneficial to him at this point in his career.

The move actually raises another question for me, will Usman's chin hold up against middleweight power? Du Plessis is the perfect opponent to test that but will we see a striking affair or will Du Plessis stick to a wrestle heavy gameplan?

Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman Odds:

• Moneyline: Dricus Du Plessis (-205) vs Kamaru Usman (+175)
• Round Total: 3.5 Total Rounds – Over (-205) / Under (+177)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Dricus Du Plessis By KO/TKO (+185)

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Co – Main Event: Christian Leroy Duncan vs Jared Cannonier Odds – Middleweight

Christian Leroy Duncan vs Jared Cannonier Odds:

• Moneyline: Christian Leroy Duncan (-400) vs Jared Cannonier (+300)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-155) / Under (+135)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Christian Leroy Duncan By Points (+125)

Chase Hooper vs Mitch Ramirez Odds – Lightweight

• Moneyline: Chase Hooper (-370) vs Mitch Ramirez (+305)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-114) / Under (-106)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Chase Hooper By Submission (+140)

Tabitha Ricci vs Fatima Kline Odds – Women's Strawweight

• Moneyline: Fatima Kline (-500) vs Tabitha Ricci (+375)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-350) / Under (+280)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Fatima Kline By Points (-175)

Tommy McMillen vs Alberto Montes Odds – Featherweight

• Moneyline: Tommy McMillen (-170) vs Alberto Montes (+145)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-125) / Under (+105)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Tommy McMillen By KO/TKO (+225)

UFC Oklahoma Schedule & FAQ

When is UFC Oklahoma?

• UFC Oklahoma will take place Saturday, July 18th, 2026.

Where is UFC Oklahoma?

• UFC Oklahoma will go down live at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.

What time does UFC Oklahoma start?

• UFC Oklahoma Preliminary Card start time: 5 p.m. ET
• UFC Oklahoma Main Card start time: 8 p.m. ET

How to Watch UFC Oklahoma?

• UFC Oklahoma Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC Oklahoma Main Card Coverage: Paramount+

How to Bet on UFC Oklahoma?

Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber, but check out our best online sportsbooks here to see what Betting News recommends for a great UFC betting experience.

If one thing is for sure, Saturday's card is sure to bring the action. I hope this betting guide helps bring more context to your UFC entertainment experience.

If you want my full card of bets, tune into the Violence Report on our network on Twitch every Saturday, or more gambling content like this make sure to follow me on X or Betting News on all platforms!