​The UFC is returning to Oklahoma City for the first time in nine years, with a pair of former champions leading the marquee. UFC Fight Night 281 features a main card topped by a clash between an ex-middleweight titleholder and a former champion who is competing at welterweight, offering fans a high-stakes showdown at 170 pounds. Here’s how to watch: the main card streams at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+, while the prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET on the same platform. Stay tuned to MMA Junkie for the latest broadcast details as the week unfolds.
In a separate note from recent events, the UFC has showcased some memorable moments that continue to shape its landscape. Dricus du Plessis, hailing from South Africa, enters the fight week with a 23-3 record in mixed martial arts and a 9-1 mark inside the UFC. He faces Kamaru Usman, who holds a 21-4 ledger in MMA with a 16-3 UFC record. Du Plessis competes in the middleweight division and has secured notable wins against contenders such as Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, Darren Till, and Brad Tavares. His ascent to a title shot came after a rapid climb through the middleweight ranks, culminating in a narrow belt victory over Strickland. However, his reign lasted less than a year, as he lost the title after two defenses to Khamzat Chimaev. The belt later changed hands to Strickland, over whom Du Plessis has secured two victories, underscoring the ongoing importance of his pursuit to reclaim momentum and reestablish himself, particularly with a target on Usman’s former status in the sport.
Usman’s path is similarly compelling. The former welterweight champion, now stepping into the middleweight ranks, is 21-4 overall with a 16-3 UFC record. His notable triumphs include wins over Joaquin Buckley, Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, Sean Strickland, and Leon Edwards. Usman’s recent years have been marked by a pivotal Fight of the Night that helped him avert a potential career setback when he defeated Buckley about a year ago, a result that snapped a three-fight skid. The years since have seen him attempt a new chapter at middleweight after a series of setbacks at welterweight, including a decisive loss in a rematch with Edwards and a high-profile foray against Khamzat Chimaev. His attempt to regain form at 170 pounds, with a win over a rising challenger in the mix, is a crucial step in reestablishing himself after a challenging stretch. Usman, now in his late 30s, has faced some of the sport’s toughest competition and continues to push for a return to championship contention.
The undercard features Jared Cannonier, who is still a force at 42 years old. He holds a 18-9 MMA record with an 11-9 UFC mark and competes against Christian Leroy Duncan, who brings a 14-2 MMA résumé with a 7-2 UFC record. Cannonier’s career has been marked by resilience and a willingness to take on tough matchups, and his recent activity—though not always reflected in the win column—has earned him multiple Fight of the Night honors over the past couple of years. His most recent win came by a late-round finish of Gregory Rodrigues, a performance that underscored his ongoing ability to deliver memorable battles and keep his name in the conversation as one of the division’s durable veterans.
Overall, UFC Fight Night 281 promises a compelling card with high-stakes matchups at the top, a veteran presence in Cannonier continuing to compete at a high level, and a backdrop of momentum-building bouts that could reshape title trajectories in the middleweight and welterweight landscapes. Whether you’re following the action for the immediate results or the long-term implications for contenders, this event offers meaningful implications for the sport’s ongoing narrative.