​UFC’s return to Oklahoma City is just nine days away, and a fresh change to the lineup has shaped the card. Kevin Holland, who had been slated to face Oklahoma State alum Jacobe Smith on July 18, had to withdraw from the event due to an undisclosed injury. That matchup would have marked Smith’s fourth UFC appearance and could have been the biggest moment of his career to date. Replacing Holland vs. Smith is a welterweight bout between Jean Paul Lebosnoyani and Seokhyeon Ko, shifting the spotlight to two other fighters on the Paycom Center stage.
The updated Oklahoma City Fight Night lineup features 11 bouts set for July 18, with the main event anticipated to start around 7 p.m. Here is the revised card:
– Dricus du Plessis (#2) vs. Kamaru Usman (#9): Middleweight Bout
– Jared Cannonier (#11) vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (#13): Middleweight Bout
– Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes: Featherweight Bout
– Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez: Lightweight Bout
– Austin Bashi vs. Jose Miguel Delgado: Featherweight Bout
– Jean Paul Lebosnoyani vs. Seokhyeon Ko: Welterweight Bout
– Tabatha Ricci (#8) vs. Fatima Kline (#11): Women’s Strawweight Bout
– Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs. Felipe Franco: Light Heavyweight Bout
– Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicholl: Flyweight Bout
– Allen Frye Jr. vs. Alvin Hines: Heavyweight Bout
– Veronica Hardy vs. Dione Barbosa: Women’s Flyweight Bout
Odds for the event, listed on Friday, July 10, place Dricus du Plessis as the favorite at -360 against Kamaru Usman (+280). Christian Leroy Duncan is favored over Jared Cannonier (-310 to +250). Chase Hooper is favored over Mitch Ramirez (-305 to +245), while Alberto Montes is a slight favorite over Tommy McMillen (-120 to +100).
Ticket information for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman can be found on Ticketmaster, with prices starting around $123.70 for upper sections. VIP seats, closer to the action and the octagon, can exceed $2,000, while non-VIP seats in comparable proximity typically run around the $1,000 mark.
Oklahoma City has hosted UFC events before, with the last appearance being a UFC Fight Night in 2017 featuring Kevin Lee vs. Michael Chiesa. The Cox Convention Center hosted UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard in 2009. Tulsa has also welcomed UFC events, including UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos at the BOK Center in 2014 and UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors in 1994. Plans for a 2020 Oklahoma City fight were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For context, UFC stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship, the leading promotion in mixed martial arts. In UFC bouts, two fighters compete inside an eight-sided cage known as the Octagon. Most fights last either three rounds (non-title bouts) or five rounds (title bouts or main events). Judges use a 10-point scoring system that factors in effective striking, grappling, aggression, and Octagon control. A fight can end by knockout, technical knockout, submission (via surrender or a tap), or a judges’ decision.
Regrettably, injuries and scheduling shifts are part of the sport, but the UFC’s Oklahoma City return remains a marquee event for fans in the region. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to check the latest updates from UFC and Ticketmaster for any last-minute changes to the card or seating options.