Boxing
Usman Learning from the Bottom Again, Seeks Redemption Against Du Plessis After 13-Month Layoff
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes he is back in familiar territory as he prepares for a defining clash against ex-middleweight king Dricus du Plessis at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City this Saturday.
READ ALSO: Kamaru Usman Reveals How Defeats Became His Greatest Weapon Ahead of New UFC Chapter
After spending more than a decade as one of the UFC’s most dominant champions, “The Nigerian Nightmare” now finds himself rebuilding his career from the ground up following a difficult spell that saw him lose his welterweight crown.
Rather than dwell on the setbacks, Usman has embraced the challenge of proving himself all over again.
Saturday’s showdown marks his first fight in 13 months and his first full-scale appearance as a middleweight.
Although he previously stepped in on short notice against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, this will be his first full training camp competing permanently at 185 pounds.
The move presents a fresh opportunity for the 39-year-old, who impressed in his last outing by defeating Joaquin Buckley with a wrestling-heavy performance that reminded fans why he was once considered one of the UFC’s pound-for-pound best.
Standing across from him will be former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who is equally eager to bounce back after suffering a crushing defeat to Khamzat Chimaev that ended his 11-fight winning streak and cost him the UFC middleweight title.
With current champion Sean Strickland yet to announce his next title defence, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Both men own victories over Strickland, making Saturday’s headline bout a potential title eliminator.
For Usman, the contest is about more than rankings. It is an opportunity to prove that his championship pedigree remains intact despite the long layoff and a change in weight class.
A convincing victory over the dangerous South African would immediately thrust the Nigerian back into the middleweight title conversation and complete another remarkable chapter in a career built on resilience and reinvention.
The UFC Fight Night main event takes place this weekend at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with both former champions aiming to take a major step toward another world title shot.
The post Usman Learning from the Bottom Again, Seeks Redemption Against Du Plessis After 13-Month Layoff appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
The post Khelif’s first professional fight in Paris postponed due to injury appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.
Fast-rising Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer, Moses Itauma is facing a huge dilemma of choice, following a directive by World Boxing Federation (IBF) that he must face Frank Sanchez of Cuba in a title fight before the end of this year.
Sports247 reports that Itauma already has a bout lined up in August, which leaves him with a tough decision to take, after IBF ordered him into an agreement with Sanchez as soon as July 29th.
It’s now left to be seen if the 21-year-old Nigerian-born Britiish boxing prodigy will drop his date in August in order to concentrate on the IBF title fight, or he could try to muscle both bouts together in a huge gamble.
The dilemma facing Itauma arises after highly dominant Ukrainian, but now erstwhile three-belt holder, Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his IBF strap, along with his World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles in one swoop.
While WBC upgraded their interim champion, Agit Kabayel to take up the main belt, following Usyk’s decision, IBF have moved to arrange a bout for the vacant title, with specificc attention on Itauma, who in March got a fifth-round win over USA’s Jermaine Franklin.
Itauma is among the top three contenders on all three cards, but IBF have made the first move in trying to muscle Britain’s Best Boxer of The Year 2026 into an epic title shot within the shortest time possibile.
This is despite the fact that Itauma is already scheduled to fight Filip Hrgovic of Croatia at London’s O2 Arena on August 29th, in what he has referred to as his ‘toughest fight,’ but he may now decide to pull out or face Sanchez afterwards.
A report by Yahoo Sports adds, “Itauma has been ordered by the IBF to hold talks with Cuba’s Frank Sanchez about fighting for the vacant heavyweight title.
“The IBF said that, ‘in accordance with championship rules,’ it now wants Sanchez, who is number one in their heavyweight rankings, to fight number three contender Itauma. They have until 29 July to reach an agreement.”
The post Moses Itauma Faces Tough Decision After IBF Orders Manadatory Title Fight With Sanchez appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Boxing
‘Repeat or Revenge’ Taiwo Agbaje vs Tope Musa Rematch After 8 Years as Portable Returns With Unfinished Business
The highly anticipated rematch between Taiwo “Esehpo” Agbaje and Tope “TP Rock” Musa has been officially confirmed for July 31, 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The featherweight contest headlines a star-studded boxing event promoted by Balmoral Group Promotions and will see two of Nigeria’s respected fighters settle unfinished business nearly eight years after their first encounter.
Agbaje Seeks Repeat, Musa Eyes Revenge
The first meeting between Agbaje and Musa took place on October 14, 2018, with Agbaje claiming a unanimous decision victory after six rounds of action.
Since then, both fighters have evolved significantly in their careers. Agbaje has strengthened his reputation on the domestic and continental scene staying undefeated.
Musa on the other hand has continued to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and resilient boxers.
With their rivalry reignited, the July showdown presents Musa with an opportunity to avenge his only defeat to Agbaje, while the former WBA Africa champion will be determined to prove that history can repeat itself.
The bout has been aptly branded as “Repeat or Revenge”, reflecting the stakes involved for both fighters.
Portable Returns to the Ring Against Charles Okocha
Adding celebrity appeal to the event is the much-publicized rematch between Nigerian street-pop sensation Portable and Nollywood actor Charles Okocha.
The pair first squared off in December 2023, when Portable secured victory after four rounds in a bout that attracted widespread media attention and social media engagement.
Now tagged “Unfinished Business,” the rematch offers Okocha a chance to settle scores while Portable looks to reaffirm his superiority inside the ring.
The Agbaje-Musa rematch promises high-level competition, while Portable’s return guarantees entertainment and heightened public interest, making the event one of the most anticipated boxing cards on the Nigerian sporting calendar.
As the countdown begins, boxing enthusiasts will be eager to discover whether Agbaje can once again overcome Musa or whether “TP Rock” will finally get his revenge.
Meanwhile, all eyes will also be on Portable and Charles Okocha as they prepare to renew one of Nigeria’s most talked-about celebrity rivalries.
The post ‘Repeat or Revenge’ Taiwo Agbaje vs Tope Musa Rematch After 8 Years as Portable Returns With Unfinished Business first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.
The post ‘Repeat or Revenge’ Taiwo Agbaje vs Tope Musa Rematch After 8 Years as Portable Returns With Unfinished Business appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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