Chael Sonnen makes bold prediction for Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC Oklahoma City
(Courtesy : UFC)
The American Gangster believes Kamaru Usman’s wrestling gives him the perfect style to upset Dricus du Plessis.
Chael Sonnen believes Kamaru Usman has a genuine opportunity to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year when he faces former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City.
Although du Plessis enters the bout as the betting favorite, Sonnen argues that the matchup favors Usman stylistically because of his elite wrestling background. The former UFC title challenger believes many fans are overlooking one of the biggest strengths that helped Usman dominate the welterweight division for years.
Speaking in a video shared by UFC on Paramount, Sonnen explained why he believes the former champion possesses the exact tools needed to trouble du Plessis over five rounds.
Chael Sonnen believes wrestling is the key to Kamaru Usman’s victory
Sonnen did not hold back when discussing the stylistic matchup.
“I think it’s a terrible matchup for Dricus du Plessis.”
He pointed to du Plessis’ recent defeat against Khamzat Chimaev as evidence that high-level wrestling can neutralize the South African’s offense.
“Look, Dricus didn’t just lose his last fight; he lost his last five rounds. All, by the way, to a superior wrestler.”
Sonnen also believes many fans have forgotten just how accomplished Usman was before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
“Kamaru Usman is a national champion wrestler. Everybody forgets that. He was an Olympic prospect back in 2012. Kamaru Usman definitely can win this fight.”
Usman captured an NCAA Division II national championship while representing the University of Nebraska at Kearney before competing internationally in freestyle wrestling.
Sonnen believes that pedigree gives the former welterweight champion a realistic blueprint for victory.
Does Kamaru Usman still have a path to an upset?
Despite Sonnen’s confidence, the betting markets continue to favor du Plessis. The former middleweight champion currently sits around a -258 to -260 favorite, while Usman is available as an underdog in the +214 to +225 range.
Those odds suggest bookmakers believe du Plessis has roughly a 70 percent chance of winning. However, Usman’s odds have shortened significantly after initially opening around +285, indicating increased confidence from bettors.
Several factors still favor du Plessis. The South African is younger at 32 years old, has spent the majority of his recent career competing at middleweight and naturally possesses the size advantage over the 39-year-old Usman, whose greatest accomplishments came at welterweight.
Usman’s only previous UFC middleweight appearance resulted in a decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in 2023, although that fight came on short notice.
Sonnen, however, believes recent results matter less than stylistic compatibility. If Usman can repeatedly pressure du Plessis against the fence, win the clinch exchanges, secure takedowns, and force the former champion to constantly defend his wrestling, Sonnen believes the underdog has a legitimate chance of winning a five-round decision.
Whether that prediction proves accurate remains to be seen, but Sonnen is convinced that Usman’s wrestling credentials make him a far more dangerous challenger than the betting odds currently suggest.
Who does Chael Sonnen think will win between Kamaru Usman and Dricus du Plessis?
Chael Sonnen believes Kamaru Usman has the style and wrestling ability to upset Dricus du Plessis despite entering the fight as the betting underdog.
Why does Chael Sonnen favor Kamaru Usman?
Sonnen believes Usman’s elite wrestling background and ability to control opponents in the clinch make him a difficult stylistic matchup for du Plessis.
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