The Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make a triumphant return to America's heartland. UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs. Usman (officially recognized as UFC Fight Night 281) promises a night of explosive mixed martial arts action. Marking the promotion’s first trip to Oklahoma City since June 2017, this weekend's card features a captivating clash of former champions alongside a highly compelling lineup of battle-tested veterans and rising stars.
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Preliminary Card Broadcast: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Main Card Broadcast: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Where to Watch: The entire event will be broadcast live exclusively on Paramount+.1
You can also watch the UFC Fight Night: du Plessis vs Usman mma event for free on mmastream.
The evening's headliner features a high-stakes middleweight showdown. Former UFC Middleweight and KSW Welterweight Champion Dricus du Plessis steps into the Octagon against former dominant UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.
Du Plessis brings his signature chaotic pressure, unrelenting pace, and foundational grappling. On the other side, Usman—The Ultimate Fighter alumnus and future Hall of Famer—looks to assert his dominance in the 185-pound landscape. Both elite competitors have everything to lose, making this marquee matchup a potential Fight of the Year candidate.
The co-main event ensures the middleweight division remains the center of attention. Perennial contender Jared Cannonier takes on the dynamic and striking-heavy Christian Leroy Duncan. A victory for either man could vault them directly into the immediate title picture.
Elsewhere on the main card, Tabatha Ricci steps up on short notice to square off against the highly touted Fatima Kline in the women's strawweight division, replacing Amanda Ribas who withdrew due to health concerns. Additionally, undefeated featherweight prospect Tommy McMillen will attempt to keep his perfect record intact against the dangerous Alberto Montes.
As is often the case with high-octane fight weeks, the road to Oklahoma City has faced substantial hurdles. Injuries and weight management have radically altered the landscape of the card:
Purse Penalties: Submission specialist Chase Hooper missed the lightweight non-title limit by 1.5 pounds, tipping the scales at 157.5 pounds. His lightweight bout against Mitch Ramirez will proceed as a catchweight affair, with Hooper forfeiting 20% of his fight purse to Ramirez.
Additional Misses: Promotional newcomer Ezra Elliott similarly missed the featherweight non-title mark, weighing in at 147.5 pounds. His preliminary bout against fellow newcomer Damien Anderson is also officially a catchweight bout.
Last-Minute Adjustments: Several highly anticipated bouts fell through late in the cycle. Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain, originally booked as the co-main event, was rescheduled to UFC 331. Kevin Holland was forced to withdraw from his fight against Jacobe Smith due to an injury, and a cut sustained in training forced Veronica Hardy off the prelims, allowing Anna Melisano to make her short-notice UFC debut against Dione Barbosa.
Middleweight Main Event: Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman
Middleweight Co-Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan
Catchweight (157.5 lbs): Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez
Women's Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci vs. Fatima Kline
Featherweight: Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes
Featherweight: Austin Bashi vs. Jose Miguel Delgado
Welterweight: Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs. Ko Seok-hyeon
Light Heavyweight: Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs. Felipe Franco
Flyweight: Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicoll
Heavyweight: RJ Harris vs. Alvin Hines
Women's Flyweight: Anna Melisano vs. Dione Barbosa
Catchweight (147.5 lbs): Ezra Elliott vs. Damien Anderson
