Video summary

Kamaru Usman Makes EXCUSES...Dricus got Better (UFC Oklahoma City Reaction)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Sport

Overall Card Assessment

The UFC Oklahoma City Fight Night card ended with a solid, above-average lineup (roughly a 6/10 by the speaker’s rating). The card featured:

  • 7 decisions
  • 5 finishes
  • 3 decisions on the main card

Several bouts included standout performances.

Key Fights and Moments

  • Juliana Lima vs. JJ Aldrich — Lima won by rear-naked choke (Round 1). Lima took Aldrich down after a body lock. Aldrich briefly escaped to stand on the first attempt, but Lima quickly spun to her back and finished with the choke.

  • Alex Garcia vs. Elvin Leon — Garcia won by TKO/knockout (Round 1). A counter combo—left hook into right uppercut—caught Leon as he overreached. The strike reportedly lifted him off his feet.

  • Eldon Coria vs. Store Nickel — Coria won by decision. The speaker called it underwhelming, noting Coria was a heavy favorite but didn’t pressure early, respected Nickel too much, and struggled with Nickel’s takedowns. Even with some highlights (including scramble/technique sequences and chokes), the bout didn’t fully deliver.

  • Demi (“Deerman”) Hands vs. Ezra Elliott — Elliott won by decision (29–28 debate). The speaker attributes the win to Elliott’s size advantage, relentless wrestling, and frequent takedowns, including a record-setting UFC debut number: 12. Elliott missed weight, costing him a 20% purse reduction. The speaker argues some judges may have favored Hands early due to damage/submission-attempt moments, but ultimately credits Elliott’s control and takedown dominance.

  • Felipe Franco vs. Levi Rodriguez — Franco upset Rodriguez, winning via ground-and-pound (Round 2). Franco shot takedowns early to disrupt Levi, controlled him strongly (including reaching full mount), and closed with heavy ground strikes.

  • Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (JPL) vs. “Korean Tyson” — JPL won by decision; “fight of the night.” A back-and-forth striking match with occasional takedowns and submissions attempts. JPL used southpaw to fuel blitzing combinations.

  • Jose Delgado vs. Austin Bashi — Delgado won by decision (29–28). A chaotic first round featured both fighters dropping each other. The speaker felt Bashi’s early success led to overconfidence and defensive lapses after dropping Delgado. Delgado ultimately landed more damaging shots while controlling the stand-up pace.

Main Card Highlights

  • Tony McMillan vs. Alberto Montes — McMillan won by standing TKO (Round 3). Montes seemed poised to win, but McMillan benefitted from Montes largely not shooting for takedowns, forcing a more striking-heavy fight. McMillan tightened his straight punches, improved movement, and wore Montes down over time. Montes had early moments (including knockdowns) but faded late.

  • Phatima Clyne vs. Tabitha Ricci — Clyne dominated with striking and grappling. The speaker highlighted off-angle punches, big takedowns, and especially suplexes in Round 3. Clyne was framed as a major division threat and potentially a future title contender, with relevant matchup paths including Yan Xiaonan and Denise Gomes.

  • Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez — Hooper won in Round 1 with a rear-naked choke. The choke came right after Hooper secured the takedown. The speaker described it as very straightforward.

Co-Main Event

  • Jeri “Skinner” vs. Kristina Williams Duncan — Described as a “stinker.” The fight leaned heavily into clinching (“hug fest”) with only brief bursts of spinning/knee/elbow moments. The referee was noted as drawing boos (Herb Dean). Overall, the speaker characterized the matchup and action as unattractive, with little satisfaction from the bout’s flow.

Main Event

  • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman — Du Plessis won by decision. Scores cited: 249–46 and 150–45. The speaker emphasized that Usman was shocked and strongly disagreed—especially at the 50–45 range. Usman complained about a shot “to the eye,” but the speaker argued it was a real punch to the eye (not an intentional poke). The speaker also suggested Du Plessis may have had finishing chances.

Despite the loss, Usman’s toughness/durability stood out—taking knees and head kicks into later rounds, ducking into impacts. The speaker praised Du Plessis’s improved speed, shot placement, movement, and takedown defense. The next major test was framed as whether his pace/speed can hold against Sean Strickland.

The speaker also discussed potential title/contender matchups involving Imavov and Hamzat, and suggested Belal Muhammad vs. Usman as a compelling future matchup.

Presenters / Sources Mentioned

  • Quintilian (quoted in the opening guidance)
  • UFC commentary team:
    • DC (Daniel Cormier)
    • Bisping (Michael Bisping)
  • Referee mentioned: Herb Dean

Original video