Unlike the oddsmakers, Jorge Masvidal isn’t counting out Kamaru Usman against Dricus Du Plessis.
Former welterweight champion Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) meets former middleweight champ Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Paramount+).
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Du Plessis has opened up as a sizable favorite over Usman, who has competed only once at middleweight when he was edged out by ex-champ Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Usman recently snapped a three-fight losing skid by out-grappling Joaquin Buckley last June, but Masvidal said his recent losses aren’t reflective of his current ability.
“I don’t think he’s shot at all, man,” Masvidal said of Usman on UFC on Paramount+. “I know he was winning the second fight with Leon (Edwards). I had him winning considerably then whatever, he got caught, got knocked out. Then after that, he fights Chimaev like on 10, 11 days’ notice, which I thought he won. Straight up, I thought he won that fight.
“Then he has the Buckley fight, which he looked phenomenal in. So I don’t think he’s anywhere near shot. I think he can still contend for a belt. I think Du Plessis is a dangerous fighter. He’s heavy handed as hell, super athletic, but Du Plessis almost has to fight a perfect fight to beat Usman. Usman, I think, beats him three to four times out of five, easy. He’s too complete everywhere.”
Du Plessis will look to rebound from a dominant title loss to Chimaev at UFC 319, where he was taken down 12 times and controlled for more than 21 minutes. Masvidal, who lost twice to Usman in title fights, isn’t sure if Du Plessis has had enough time to fill that hole in his game.
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“And where Du Plessis is lacking, Usman is phenomenal in, which is the wrestling and the control department, and Usman is good enough with the hands that I don’t think he gets into too much trouble,” Masvidal continued. I think he’s able to get some takedowns and controls Du Plessis.
“Unless Du Plessis has made some dramatic, drastic changes from his last fight with Chimaev, which I don’t know if he did in such short time. He’s a great athlete. I don’t put it past him that he could improve a lot, but could he improve enough to deal with Usman’s wrestling? I don’t think so.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jorge Masvidal: Kamaru Usman has good shot to beat Dricus Du Plessis
