Kamaru Usman is set for a high-stakes move back to middleweight when he faces Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC Fight Night 281 main event at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The former longtime welterweight champion, who owns a 21-4 MMA and 16-3 UFC record, meets Du Plessis, a former titleholder with a 23-3 MMA and 9-1 UFC mark, in a middleweight bout that Usman views as a key late-career opportunity.
"I'm a money weight fighter now," Usman said. "So if it's up at welterweight, I'll do it. If it's up at middleweight, I'll do it. If it's up at light heavyweight – I might do it."
Usman has previously earned a decision win over current champion Sean Strickland in April 2017 and has expressed interest in future fights with either Strickland or Islam Makhachev if he gets past Du Plessis. "He's the champ now. … It's either Sean Strickland or Islam (next with a win)."
The former welterweight king made clear he doesn’t see middleweight as an easier path. "I wouldn't say (this division is) easier," Usman said, later adding, "But it's definitely not easier. I wouldn't say easier with respect to some of these guys right now at the top. Guys like Jared Cannonier. Guys like Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho. 'Robocop' (Gregory Rodrigues). All these guys are extremely tough, just like (Carlos) Prates or (Michael) Morales and all these guys."
Usman said he has a limited number of performances left and believes this matchup "just made sense at this time."
