Fighters Only : UFC Oklahoma Main Card Preview

Paul Browne

Jul 16, 2026

After the drama delivered by last weekend’s UFC 329 fight card, the UFC shifts gears to Oklahoma City this weekend, where the Paycom Center will host an event headlined by a clash between two former champions.

Here’s a look at the main card action set to take place at UFC Fight Night 281 this Saturday.

Dricus Du Plessis #2 vs. Kamaru Usman #9 (Middleweight)

After coming close to defeating Khamzat Chimaev in his only previous middleweight appearance in 2023, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) returns to 185 pounds to take on Dricus Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in this weekend’s main event.

"The Nigerian Nightmare" has fought only once since that defeat, earning an impressive decision victory over Joaquin Buckley just over a year ago.

At 39 years old, talk of another title run may seem like wishful thinking. However, if Usman can defeat former middleweight champion Du Plessis this weekend, he could make a legitimate case to be next in line for a shot at Sean Strickland.

Du Plessis, meanwhile, makes his first appearance since losing his title to Chimaev at UFC 319 last August. With a new champion now in place—one he already holds a victory over—the South African will also feel that a title shot is within reach with a win on Saturday night.

Jared Cannonier #10 vs. Christian Leroy Duncan #12 (Middleweight)

Two middleweights trending in opposite directions will clash in this weekend’s co-main event. Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has racked up four consecutive victories over the past 16 months and can draw level this weekend with Nassourdine Imavov, Nursulton Ruziboev, and Ateba Gautier, who collectively hold the record for the longest active winning streak in the middleweight division at five fights.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Cannonier (18-9 MMA, 11-9 UFC) has lost three of his last four bouts and will be desperate to safeguard his place in the UFC's middleweight top 10.

Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez (Lightweight)

After putting together a five-fight winning streak heading into last summer, Chase Hooper (16-5-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC)appeared to have finally found his footing at 155 pounds. However, "The Dream" then suffered back-to-back first-round knockout losses and will be eager to halt that slide this Saturday against Mitch Ramirez (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC).

Ramirez is also in desperate need of a victory, having gone 0-2 since signing with the UFC in 2024.

Tabatha Riccia #8 vs. Fatima Kline #11 (Women’s strawweight)

Fatima Kline (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is certainly a fighter with momentum on her side. Since losing to Jasmine Jasudavicius in her UFC debut on short notice, the 26-year-old New Yorker has rattled off three consecutive victories, establishing herself as a future title contender at 115 pounds.

A place in the top 10 awaits Kline should she overcome Tabatha Ricci (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC), who makes her first appearance since suffering a defeat to Virna Jandiroba in April.

Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes (Featherweight)

Two products of Dana White’s Contender Series clash in Saturday’s main card opener.

Tommy “Gun” McMillen (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made a huge splash in his UFC debut earlier this year, needing less than a round to dispatch of Manolo Zecchini at the Meta APEX in April, while Venezuela’s Alberto Montes (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) picked up the seventh submission victory of his career against Ricky Turcios at UFC 326 in March.