Jorge Masvidal says Kamaru Usman has a real path to upset Dricus du Plessis

Jorge Masvidal is not buying into the idea that Kamaru Usman is an easy underdog against Dricus du Plessis. Speaking from the perspective of a fighter who has competed at the highest levels, Masvidal suggested that Usman “has a good shot” to beat du Plessis, pushing back against the prevailing talk that the matchup tilts strongly toward du Plessis.

The debate matters because du Plessis arrives as the type of champion who thrives on pressure and one-direction striking exchanges, while Usman’s reputation in MMA is built around control, wrestling threat, and the ability to blunt opponents over rounds. Masvidal’s point, as framed in his comments, is essentially that Usman’s overall skill set can translate into enough advantage to make du Plessis beatable, even if bookmakers and consensus projections lean the other way.

Within UFC fandom, the “good shot” language is often less about a single technique and more about a whole-game plan. Usman has historically looked dangerous when he can set grappling moments on his terms, use pace to tax an opponent, and keep the fight from becoming a clean striking matchup for as long as possible. Masvidal’s argument aligns with that framework, treating Usman as more than just a name in the weight-class conversation.

At the same time, the matchup’s uncertainty is not limited to whether Usman can get the fight to where he wants it. Du Plessis is known for toughness and for taking away comfortable angles, so any upset pathway would likely require Usman to score early enough to change the rhythm, and then keep changing it as the fight evolves. That is the heart of Masvidal’s disagreement with “the oddsmakers,” according to the framing of the report.

For observers, Masvidal’s take is also a reminder that fighters can evaluate matchups differently than mainstream betting markets. Betting lines tend to compress a wide range of factors into a single number, but fighters often emphasize style collisions, pacing, and how specific skills show up in real time. Masvidal’s confidence in Usman, even against the grain of expectation, is the kind of commentary that can influence how fans discuss matchup keys and preparation priorities.

What to watch next is how the UFC context clarifies the matchup: whether du Plessis is framed as a clear favorite in promotional material, and whether Usman’s approach is consistent with a fight plan aimed at controlling exchanges rather than trading freely. If Usman can force grappling attempts or at least repeatedly shift du Plessis’ positioning, Masvidal’s belief may look more grounded. If du Plessis can keep the fight in his preferred range and timing, the market’s lean could reassert itself.