Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman: Fight Time, Where to Watch in South Africa

South African UFC star Dricus du Plessis returns to the Octagon this weekend for one of the biggest fights of his career when he faces former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the middleweight main event of UFC Fight Night 281.

The five-round showdown takes place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, 18 July, with South African viewers watching into the early hours of Sunday morning.

What time is Dricus du Plessis fighting in South Africa?

Because the event takes place in the United States, the fight card runs overnight in South Africa.

Here’s when to tune in:

• Preliminary card: 23:00 on Saturday, 18 July
• Main card: 02:00 on Sunday, 19 July
• Dricus du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman: Expected cage walks between 04:30 and 05:00 on Sunday, depending on the duration of the earlier fights

Where to watch UFC Fight Night 281

South African fans will be able to watch the event live on:

• SuperSport Action
• SuperSport Grandstand

The fights will also be available to stream on the DStv Stream app.

Du Plessis returns after title defeat

Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since August 2025, when he lost the UFC middleweight championship to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

Before that defeat, the South African had built an impressive nine-fight winning streak in the UFC and established himself as one of the division’s top contenders.

Usman begins his middleweight campaign

Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) returns after a 13-month lay-off.

The former long-time UFC welterweight champion has committed to the 185-pound middleweight division as he looks to become a two-division UFC champion.

Tale of the tape

• Record: Du Plessis 23-3, Usman 21-4
• Age: Du Plessis 32, Usman 39
• Height: Du Plessis 6’1″, Usman 6’0″
• Reach: Both 76 inches
• Stance: Both switch
• Significant strikes landed per minute: Du Plessis 5.18, Usman 4.16
• Significant strike accuracy: Du Plessis 51.22%, Usman 63.80%
• Takedown average per 15 minutes: Du Plessis 2.22, Usman 2.79

A potential title eliminator

The fight carries significant implications for the UFC middleweight division.

Both men have history with current champion Sean Strickland. Usman defeated Strickland in 2017, while Du Plessis owns two title-fight victories over him.

Victory on Saturday night would strengthen either fighter’s claim for another shot at the UFC middleweight title later this year.

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