On The Mat

MMA EDITORIAL BRIEF — JULY 17, 2026

The UFC pivots quickly from the McGregor disaster, setting the stage for a high-stakes middleweight clash in Oklahoma City. Former champion Dricus du Plessis faces ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman on Friday night's Fight Night card, streaming exclusively on Paramount+ with the main card kicking off at 8 PM ET. The matchup carries significant title implications at 185 pounds, as du Plessis looks to rebound from losing his belt while Usman continues his middleweight campaign after years of welterweight dominance. The promotion is banking on this clash to generate momentum after UFC 329's anticlimactic main event, with Islam Makhachev's title defense against Ian Machado Garry also on the upcoming schedule.

Meanwhile, Conor McGregor has confirmed he'll undergo surgery to repair the knee injury that ended his UFC 329 comeback prematurely. The Irish superstar made clear his intention to return for at least one more fight to fulfill his current UFC contract, though no timeline has been established for his recovery and rehabilitation. McGregor's vow to fight again keeps the door open for what would be a third attempt at recapturing relevance in a sport that's moved on during his extended absences, though questions remain whether the promotion will grant him another marquee opportunity after consecutive setbacks.

Sources: CBS Sports · Paramount Plus · Yardbarker