UFC Oklahoma City Preview: Dricus du Plessis Faces Kamaru Usman as Christian Leroy Duncan Returns

The UFC heads to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on July 18 for a Fight Night card packed with important contests across multiple divisions.

The headline attraction sees former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman make the move up to middleweight against reigning champion Dricus du Plessis, while Britain's Christian Leroy Duncan faces the biggest test of his UFC career against former title challenger Jared Cannonier.

Elsewhere, rising prospects and established contenders collide in a card that could have significant implications for several divisions.

​The main event marks Kamaru Usman's long-awaited move to the middleweight division as he takes on one of the UFC's most unconventional champions.

Du Plessis has built his success on relentless pressure, awkward striking and an ability to make opponents uncomfortable from the opening bell. His aggressive style has seen him establish himself at the top of the division, while Usman enters with one of the most accomplished résumés in UFC history.

Although moving up in weight presents a fresh challenge, Usman's elite wrestling, disciplined striking and championship experience make this one of the most intriguing middleweight matchups of the year.

For du Plessis, victory would strengthen his position at the top of the division. For Usman, a successful debut at 185 pounds could immediately place him among the leading contenders.

One of the night's most compelling contests sees Christian Leroy Duncan continue his climb up the middleweight rankings against former title challenger Jared Cannonier.

Duncan has steadily impressed since joining the UFC, using his dynamic striking and unpredictable movement to establish himself as one of Britain's brightest prospects.

Standing opposite him is one of the division's most experienced veterans. Cannonier has shared the Octagon with many of the middleweight elite and remains one of the hardest hitters in the weight class.

For Duncan, this represents the biggest opportunity of his UFC career. A victory over a proven contender like Cannonier would significantly boost his standing and move him a step closer to the division's top fifteen.

​Chase Hooper returns looking to continue his development when he meets Mitch Ramirez.

Still only in the early stages of his UFC career, Hooper has evolved from a submission specialist into a far more rounded mixed martial artist while maintaining the grappling ability that made him one of the promotion's most exciting young prospects.

Ramirez will aim to keep the contest standing and use his power to halt Hooper's momentum, making this an interesting clash of styles.

Women's strawweight contenders Tabatha Ricci and Fatima Kline square off in a matchup that could have implications inside the division's rankings.

Ricci has consistently relied on her judo and grappling to control opponents, while Kline has impressed with composed striking and improving all-round skills.

With both fighters looking to build momentum, the winner could find themselves moving closer to a top ten opportunity.

Two promising featherweights round out the featured bouts as unbeaten Tommy McMillen takes on Alberto Montes.

McMillen enters the contest with a perfect professional record, while Montes has quickly established himself as one of the division's emerging talents.

With both fighters still early in their UFC journeys, this bout presents an opportunity for one of them to announce themselves on a bigger stage.

While the spotlight falls on Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman in the main event, several other fighters have plenty at stake in Oklahoma City.

Christian Leroy Duncan has the chance to secure the biggest victory of his career against Jared Cannonier, Chase Hooper continues his lightweight development, and a number of rising prospects will look to strengthen their positions within their respective divisions.

By the end of the night, the middleweight landscape could look very different, with several fighters hoping to leave Oklahoma City having taken a significant step forward.