UFC Oklahoma City is starting to fill up with some big names.
On Thursday, the UFC announced one-time middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier will face rising contender Christian Leroy Duncan in a pivotal matchup between ranked fighters, while in the welterweight division, fan-favorite fighter Kevin Holland looks to turn back hot prospect Jacobe Smith in a key welterweight matchup.
Currently ranked No. 14 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Cannonier (18-9) has gone through a rough patch lately, losing three of his past four fights. Most recently, the 42-year-old “Killa Gorilla” dropped a unanimous decision to Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 319 in August.
One of the best English fighters in the UFC today, Duncan (14-2) is riding a four-fight winning streak. “CLD” had a tremendous 2025, racking up three wins, including back-to-back spinning knockouts, and earning 2025 MMA Fighting Third Team All-Violence honors. He followed that up with a unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze in March at UFC London.
One of the most active fighters in the UFC, Holland (29-15) fought five times in 2025, going just 2-3 in that stretch, including a two-fight losing streak to end the year. Holland rebounded in April, though, picking up a unanimous decision win over Randy Brown at UFC 327.
UFC Oklahoma City takes place July 18 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The main event is rumored to be a middleweight bout between former champion Dricus du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, though nothing has been announced officially at this time.
