Dana White Addresses Du Plessis, Usman, McGregor Injury and UFC Schedule

Dana White addressed several major topics after UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman in Oklahoma City, where Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman in the main event. Speaking backstage following the card at Paycom Center, the UFC President and CEO discussed Du Plessis’ performance, Usman’s future, Jared Cannonier’s situation and Conor McGregor’s knee injury. White also confirmed upcoming UFC dates in Glendale, Arizona, and Edmonton, Canada, while saying the organization has fights arranged through the end of October.

White arrived in Oklahoma City after changing his travel plans while returning from New York, where he had attended a Zuffa Boxing press conference as part of FanaticsFest. He said he and his team were watching the fights while flying back and decided to land in Oklahoma City as the plane approached the city. White said he saw the co-main event and main event live, praised the crowd and said the UFC would return. It was the first UFC event in Oklahoma City since 2017, and White said he enjoyed the city even though he had to leave shortly after the event concluded.

White holds off on Du Plessis title-shot discussion

Du Plessis earned a five-round decision over Usman in the main event, with White describing it as a great fight and saying the former middleweight champion looked good. White was asked whether the result should move Du Plessis ahead of Nassourdine Imavov for a possible opportunity against reigning middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Du Plessis has already beaten Strickland twice, but White declined to make a call on the night. He said the UFC would return to its regular process and begin discussing possibilities on Tuesday rather than settle matchmaking questions immediately after the bout.

The discussion also turned to Usman, who fought a larger opponent and was wobbled on several occasions but continued competing through the final scorecards. White did not view the performance as a reason to say Usman should retire. He said Usman still has it, noted that the former welterweight champion had a great fight and said the next step was for him to rest, heal and decide what comes next. When asked whether Usman should return to 170 pounds, White said that decision belonged to Usman because of what he has accomplished in his career. White said Usman was facing one of the best fighters in the world despite the size difference.

McGregor faces surgery and rehabilitation after ACL injury

White gave a direct update on McGregor after the Irish fighter sustained a knee injury in his bout with Max Holloway at UFC 329. White said McGregor is having knee surgery and later identified the injury as an ACL issue. He said there was no value in speculating about McGregor’s next fight while surgery and physical therapy remain ahead. White said the process will take time and that discussion about McGregor can resume when doctors clear him to begin hard training again. The same post-fight availability included White’s comments on Cannonier, who lost a unanimous decision to Christian Leroy Duncan in the co-main event. White said both Cannonier and Usman performed well, adding that neither bout resembled the type of performance that prompts an immediate retirement conversation.

• White said Du Plessis looked good in his win over Usman, but said the UFC would not decide a potential middleweight title challenger on fight night.
• White said McGregor needs knee surgery and physical therapy, with any renewed discussion of his future waiting until he is cleared for hard training.

White’s Oklahoma City comments provided no immediate matchmaking verdict for Du Plessis and no timetable for McGregor’s return. Instead, he focused on the performances already delivered: Du Plessis’ five-round victory, Usman’s ability to compete against a bigger opponent and Cannonier’s effort in the co-main event. White also reaffirmed that Oklahoma City made a strong impression during the UFC’s first visit since 2017 and said the promotion will be back, though he did not specify when. With Glendale and Edmonton confirmed and fights made through the end of October, White said the third-quarter schedule is taking shape.