UFC Signs Two Unbeaten Finishing Machines for Late-Notice Fight at UFC Oklahoma City

This Saturday’s UFC Fight night card in Oklahoma City has received a very late addition during fight week.
Scheduled to take place at the Paycom Center, UFC Oklahoma City is headlined by a massive middleweight clash between former UFC titleholders Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, who is making his second middleweight appearance after losing to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice bout in 2023.
The even marks the UFC’s first visit to Oklahoma in nearly ten years, as the world’s leading MMA promotion last made the trip to Oklahoma City in 2017 for a UFC Fight Night that closed out with Kevin Lee’s submission-win over Michael Chiesa.
Damien Anderson vs. Ezra Elliott Added to UFC Oklahoma City
UFC Oklahoma City offered a slightly-light slate of 11 total fights at the start of fight week, with typical UFC events usually capping out with 14 fights at most.

According to Marcel Dorff, the UFC has bolstered the card by signing undefeated talents Damien Anderson and Ezra Elliott to make their respective UFC debuts in a featherweight contest at UFC Oklahoma City.
Ezra Elliott Has Never Gone Past the First Round
A product of the MMA Lab in Arizona, Elliott went 4-0 as an amateur fighter before making his professional debut in 2024.
Elliott’s first year as a pro saw him compete a total of three times but amass less than a round of cage time, as he sopped Anthony Curtiss with strikes in his debut before securing back-to-back wins via D’arce choke.
That first year set the tone for Elliott’s career thus far, as he also submitted all three of his opponents in the first round in 2025 before he needed 3 minutes and 41 seconds to knock out Ashton Caniglia in his most recent outing in May, which stands as the longest fight of his pro career.
Highly-Touted Damian Anderson Meets Elliott at UFC Oklahoma City
Ranked as the #19 prospect worldwide by MMA Prospect Vault, Anderson only competed once in MMA an amateur but also has extensive experience in competitive grappling.
“Demon Hands” made his pro MMA debut the same year as his lone amateur bout when he entered the cage at Fury Challenger Series 9, where he stopped Ray Vaiza with strikes in just over two minutes.
Anderson remained with Fury FC for his next three fights and showed off his grappling skills with three-straight submissions, and in December 2024 he also submitted Sandrey Silva at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9.
The 29-year-old most recently fought in February at Cage Fury FC 150, where he submitted Hondo Gutierrez with a kneebar in less than two minutes.
UFC Oklahoma City Fight Card
Main Event: Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman
Co-Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan
Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez
Tabatha Ricci vs. Fatima Kline
Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes
Jose Delgado vs. Austin Bashi
Seok Hyeon Ko vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani
Felipe Franco vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicoll
Alvin Hines vs. RJ Harris
Dione Barbosa vs. Anna Melisano
Damien Anderson vs. Ezra Elliott

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.