Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has expressed strong interest in a potential all-African superfight against current middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis, a clash he believes could headline the UFC’s much-anticipated debut on African soil.
Usman, 38, reignited his career last weekend with a gritty decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, ending a three-fight losing skid and positioning himself for a fresh run at greatness. Now, the Nigerian-born fighter is open to moving up a weight class to face South Africa’s Du Plessis in a blockbuster clash of champions.
“After getting the [welterweight] belt, they asked and waited years for me to go up and get the middleweight belt, so why not?” Usman told TMZ. “I will relinquish that if Dricus Du Plessis is still the champion — all-African card. Africa versus Africa, first card in Africa.”
The UFC has long discussed the possibility of staging an event on the African continent, particularly during what was dubbed the “Three Kings Era” when Usman, Israel Adesanya, and Francis Ngannou all held championship belts. While those plans have yet to come to fruition, Usman believes the time is now right.
Du Plessis, who recently claimed the middleweight crown, has emerged as a rising star in the promotion, and Usman sees the South Africa vs Nigeria rivalry as a perfect narrative for a historic event.
“South Africa versus Nigeria, it’s a rivalry that’s been built forever — sports rivalry,” Usman said. “I think that’s another blockbuster, two mega events that you’re gonna remember forever.”
The prospect of an African UFC card has long tantalized fans, especially with the continent’s growing presence in the sport. With Usman’s resurgence and Du Plessis at the peak of his career, UFC President Dana White may finally have the stars aligned for an inaugural African event.
Usman, who once held a dominant 15-fight winning streak — a UFC welterweight record — is not ruling out another title run at 170 pounds. He mentioned current contenders Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev as possible matchups in that division, but emphasized that the legacy-defining bout lies in a cross-division clash with Du Plessis.
“Manifestation is very powerful. If things start to fall in line, I think we’re gonna see a pretty interesting next 18 months,” Usman said, hinting at the significance the event could have not just for the fighters involved, but for the sport globally.
While the UFC has made forays into international markets including the Middle East, Asia, and South America, Africa remains a final frontier. An event there would not only honour the contributions of African-born champions but also inspire a new generation of fighters across the continent.
With momentum building and public interest rising, a Usman vs Du Plessis main event could serve as the defining moment the UFC has long sought in Africa.
