UFC Fight Night 281 Results: Du Plessis vs. Usman Main Event Breakdown</TITLE]

UFC Fight Night 281 Results: Du Plessis vs. Usman Main Event BreakdownFor the first time in eight years, the UFC returns to Oklahoma City. UFC Fight Night 281 is hosted at the Paycom Center and is available for streaming on Paramount+.

The main event features a high-stakes middleweight clash with significant title implications. Former Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis faces off against former Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in a five-round bout. Both fighters enter the Octagon following extended layoffs; Du Plessis returns after losing his middleweight title in August, while Usman aims for consecutive victories following his June 2025 win.

The co-main event features a highly anticipated middleweight matchup between ranked contenders Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan. The main card also includes a lightweight contest between Chase Hooper and Mitch Ramirez, a women’s strawweight bout featuring Tabatha Ricci and Fatima Kline, and a featherweight fight between Tommy McMillen and Alberto Montes.

Ryan Frederick

MMA writer & live coverage specialist, contributor to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter

PRELIMS | 5 PM ET | 2 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights: Anna Melisano (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dione Barbosa (9-4, 3-2 UFC)

Barbosa established early dominance with body kicks and a clinch against the fence to secure a takedown. Once on the ground, Barbosa controlled the position and attempted an arm-triangle choke. After Melisano rolled to defend, Barbosa successfully transitioned to the back, securing a deep rear-naked choke. Melisano was forced to tap at the 4:04 mark of the first round.

Fight Result: Dione Barbosa def. Anna Melisano via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of Round 1

> Heavyweights: RJ Harris (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alvin Hines (7-1, 0-1 UFC)

> Flyweights: Alden Coria (12-3 1 NC, 2-0 UFC) vs. Stewart Nicoll (8-3, 0-3 UFC)

> Featherweights*: Ezra Elliott (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Damien Anderson (5-0, 0-0 UFC)

*Elliott missed weight by 1.5 pounds

> Light Heavyweights: Levi Rodrigues Jr. (5-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Franco (10-2, 0-1 UFC)

> Welterweights: Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (10-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Seokhyeon Ko (13-2, 2-0 UFC)

> Featherweights: Austin Bashi (14-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jose Delgado (11-2, 3-1 UFC)

MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT

> Featherweights: Tommy McMillen (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Alberto Montes (11-1, 1-0 UFC)

> Women’s Strawweights: #7 Tabatha Ricci (12-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. #14 Fatima Kline (9-1, 3-1 UFC)

> Lightweights*: Chase Hooper (16-5-1, 8-5 UFC) vs. Mitch Ramirez (8-3, 0-2 UFC)

*Hooper missed weight by 1.5 pounds

> Middleweights: #11 Jared Cannonier (18-9, 11-9 UFC) vs. #12 Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2, 7-2 UFC)

> Middleweights: #2 Dricus Du Plessis (23-3, 9-1 UFC) vs. #10 WW Kamaru Usman (21-4, 16-3 UFC)

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