LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The MMA world is buzzing as former welterweight champion Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman prepares to lock horns with South Africa’s Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis in a blockbuster middleweight fight inside the Octagon at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Voice of Naija – VONa Communications reports.
The UFC returns to Oklahoma City for the first time in almost 10 years and Usman, widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, enters this fight with a chip on his shoulder.
After setbacks in recent outings, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is determined to remind fans why he once dominated the welterweight division with relentless wrestling, suffocating pressure, and championship composure.
Usman who holds the longest winning streak in the welterweight division with 15 consecutive UFC wins, painted his face in a ‘Braveheart’ inspiration to the final weigh in but revealed he would not risk fighting with the face paint as it might obstruct his vision.
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE USMAN’S FACE PAINT
https://x.com/UFConParamount/status/2078261827461697719?s=20
On the other side of the ring, DDP, South Africa’s first UFC champion, carved his path with grit, unorthodox striking, and an iron will.
The former middleweight champion boasts a high finishing rate as 20 of his 23 wins have come by stoppage (9 KO/TKO, 11 submissions).
The 32-year-old fighter who is the favourite for the match stated that Usman won’t know what hit him come Sunday, July 19 by 1 AM Nigeria time.
“I am facing a great opponent in Kamaru Usman, but nothing he’s ever been able to do in his career can prepare him for what he’s facing,” a bullish Du Plessis declared after his final weigh in.
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Usman will have to rely on his 90% takedown defense if he wants to have a chance against the South African who beat fellow Nigerian Israel Adesanya by submission in 2024.
