UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman, scheduled for July 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, has undergone significant lineup changes. Due to injuries, Kevin Holland and Veronica Hardy have been withdrawn from their respective bouts, prompting the UFC to finalize new matchups for the event.
Updated Fight Card Adjustments
The event saw two primary shifts in its preliminary and main card structure following injury withdrawals.
According to official UFC announcements, Kevin Holland is no longer competing on the July 18 card. Consequently, his previously scheduled bout against Jacobe Smith has been removed from the event entirely.
In the flyweight division, Veronica Hardy has been sidelined due to injury. She was originally slated to face Dione Barbosa. The promotion has moved to fill the vacancy with newcomer Anna Melisano. Melisano enters the octagon riding a five-fight winning streak, with three of those victories coming by way of a finish.
Heavyweight Division Changes
The heavyweight division also saw a roster shift regarding the undercard. Allen Frye has been removed from his contest against Alvin Hines. In his place, the promotion has tapped RJ Harris to step in against Hines.
Harris brings an undefeated 5-0 professional record into the matchup. His track record reflects a high finishing rate, as four of his five professional wins have come before the final bell, including three submission victories.
Event Overview
The July 18 event at the Paycom Center serves as a showcase for both established contenders and rising talent.
| Original Bout | Status | Replacement/Update |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland vs. Jacobe Smith | Removed | Bout cancelled |
| Veronica Hardy vs. Dione Barbosa | Changed | Anna Melisano replaces Hardy |
| Allen Frye vs. Alvin Hines | Changed | RJ Harris replaces Frye |
Fans looking for the most current information regarding the card, including potential further adjustments or bout orders, should monitor official updates via UFC.com. As of this report, the promotion has not announced further changes to the main event or co-main event pairings.
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