Kamaru Usman: ‘It’s either Sean Strickland or Islam’ Makhachev next with UFC Oklahoma City upset win - MMA Fighting

Kamaru Usman says a victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City should earn him a title fight next, naming Sean Strickland or reigning champion Islam Makhachev as the logical options.
The former welterweight champion headlines the 185-pound main event against du Plessis this Saturday at the Paycom Center, streaming on Paramount+.
Usman ended a nearly four-year winless stretch 13 months ago with a decision over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, after which he sought a shot at Makhachev and the welterweight title, but the UFC declined given the depth of contenders ahead of him.
His return to middleweight follows a short-notice majority-decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023; du Plessis is also returning after losing the middleweight belt to Chimaev at UFC 319 in August.
Usman resisted the idea that a title path is easier at 185 pounds, saying the matchup simply "made sense" and crediting the company's significant say in the decision.
He praised the toughness of the division's top contenders, including Jared Cannonier, Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and others, insisting the road remains far from easy.