Du Plessis victorious in UFC return, beats Usman by decision

South African mixed martial artist Dricus Du Plessis made a successful return to the UFC on Saturday, defeating Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision. The fight took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Du Plessis, who previously held the UFC middleweight championship from January 2024 to August 2025, lost the belt to Khamzat Chimaev in his last fight. Saturday's win over Usman, a former welterweight champion, marks a strong comeback for the South African. The judges scored the bout 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 in favor of Du Plessis, who controlled much of the fight with his striking and takedown defense. Usman, moving up in weight, struggled to find his rhythm against the former champion. Du Plessis improved his professional record to 22-3, while Usman dropped to 20-5. After the win, Du Plessis called for a rematch with Chimaev, stating he wants his title back. The UFC has not yet announced the next title fight in the middleweight division, but Du Plessis's victory positions him as a top contender. Fans are eager to see if the South African can reclaim the belt he once held.