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

Kamaru Usman has secured an upset victory against Dricus du Plessis at the UFC Oklahoma City event held on July 18, 2026. Following this win, Usman has explicitly stated that his next opponent will be either Sean Strickland or Islam Makhachev. This outcome marks a significant shift in the divisional landscape, as Usman is now positioning himself for a potential title shot. The event took place in Oklahoma City, where the main card results were tracked and released via UFC.com and other major combat sports media outlets. Coverage of the event was extensive, with MMA Fighting highlighting Usman's specific targets for his next fight.

Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports focused heavily on the betting landscape and predictive analysis leading up to the bout, with CBS Sports featuring picks from elite MMA experts. Sherdog provided multiple detailed previews of the Du Plessis versus Usman matchup. Additionally, SportsLine and MMA Mania offered analysis on betting props, parlays, and specific picks, emphasizing the stakes of the fight and the potential for an upset based on the odds provided by platforms like DraftKings. To understand the significance of this result, it is necessary to note that Usman is aiming for the rare achievement of becoming a two-division champion. According to reporting from MMA Mania and Yahoo Sports, this ambition was a primary driver for his participation in the Oklahoma City event.

The context of the fight was built around whether the youth of the opposing fighters would be the winning bet, a point specifically analyzed by Yahoo Sports in their prime picks coverage prior to the actual result of the match. Looking forward, the focus remains on which opponent the UFC will match with Usman. Based on the statements reported by MMA Fighting, the next step in Usman's career trajectory involves a clash with either Sean Strickland or Islam Makhachev. Observers will be watching for official confirmations from the UFC regarding the scheduling of these potential bouts, as the victory in Oklahoma City has reopened the path for Usman to pursue championship gold in a different weight class.