MMA Weekly Roundup — July 19, 2026: Du Plessis Outpoints Usman, Eblen Claims Interim Gold
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MMA Weekly Roundup · Sunday, July 19, 2026
Saturday delivered one of the busiest fight nights of the summer: a five-round statement from Dricus du Plessis in Oklahoma City, interim gold changing hands at PFL Austin, and a wrestling crossover in Milwaukee that doubled as an emotional farewell for one of the sport's most beloved figures. Here is everything you need to know from the past week in MMA.
Du Plessis Shuts Down Usman in Oklahoma City
Former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis got back in the win column in dominant fashion at UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday night, sweeping Kamaru Usman over five rounds (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) in the middleweight main event at Paycom Center. The former welterweight king Usman had his moments early, but du Plessis' relentless pace and pressure pulled away as the fight wore on, putting the South African right back in the title conversation.
Elsewhere on the card, Christian Leroy Duncan outworked veteran contender Jared Cannonier to a unanimous decision, and grappling fans got a treat as Chase Hooper needed just 2:15 to take the back and choke out Mitch Ramirez. Fatima Kline pitched a 30-27 shutout against Tabatha Ricci, while Tommy McMillen closed out a third-round TKO of Alberto Montes. Full play-by-play is available via ESPN's fight center.
Eblen Stops Kasanganay for PFL Interim Middleweight Title
Across the map in Austin, Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay ran back their rivalry with interim middleweight gold on the line at PFL Austin. After two competitive rounds, Eblen landed a fight-changing elbow in the third and finished with follow-up strikes at 2:39 to claim the belt. A unification showdown with Costello van Steenis appears to be next after the two faced off in the cage.
Also on the card, Gamid Khizriev submitted Biaggio Ali Walsh with a rare first-round twister, and Jesus Pinedo blitzed Levy Saul Marroquin inside a round. Full results are at Yahoo Sports.
Covington Outwrestles Tsarukyan at RAF 11; Ben Askren Says Goodbye
In one of the stranger main events of the year, Colby Covington upset Arman Tsarukyan 5-3 on points in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 11 in Milwaukee, claiming Real American Freestyle's inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover title. Covington banked a shot-clock point against the aggressive Tsarukyan, then countered a late first-period takedown attempt with a two-point reversal, and never let the UFC lightweight contender catch up, per Bloody Elbow.
The night also marked the end of an era: Olympic wrestler and former MMA champion Ben Askren, back in competition after his highly publicized health battle, impressed in an emotional farewell match and officially closed the book on his competitive career.
Signings and Announcements
The UFC has reportedly signed two reigning European champions to debut against each other: Hexagone MMA champ Michael Aljarouj (13-3) will meet Spanish WOW champion Fabia Sintes (11-3) in a flyweight bout at UFC Paris on September 5, according to Bloody Elbow.
Looking Ahead: UFC Abu Dhabi Headlines Next Week
The circus moves to Etihad Arena on Saturday, July 25, where No. 1-ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev takes on Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event after an injury forced Khalil Rountree Jr. out. The card also features flyweight contenders Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov, with prelims starting at 9 a.m. ET and the main card at noon ET on Paramount+ — full lineup at MMA Mania. Then on July 31, PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defends against unbeaten Archie Colgan at UBS Arena on Long Island.