Oklahoma
PHOTOS: Oklahoma athletes sign to play at next level | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Poteau (Okla.) standout Ethan McBee signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.) standout Ethan McBee signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University. (Submitted photo)
Pocola (Okla.) standout Garrett Scott signed for basketball at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. (Submitted photo)
Pocola (Okla.) standout Garrett Scott signed for basketball at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.)’s Aiden Sockey signed for baseball at Seminole State. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.)’s Aiden Sockey signed for baseball at Seminole State. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.) baseball player Coby Bell signed at Cowley College. (Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.)’s Cailey Grinstead signed for volleyball at Missouri State. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.) baseball player Coby Bell signed at Cowley College. (Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Colton Pulliam signed for baseball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. (Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Colton Pulliam signed for baseball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. (Submitted photo)
Spiro (Okla.)’s Corbin Miller signed for baseball with University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain. (Submitted photo)
Spiro (Okla.)’s Corbin Miller signed for baseball with University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain. (Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Kiki Wight signed for basketball at University of the Ozarks. (Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Kiki Wight signed for basketball at University of the Ozarks. (Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.) baseball player Coby Bell signed at Cowley College. (Submitted photo)
Pocola (Okla.) standout Garrett Scott signed for basketball at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
(Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.)’s Aiden Sockey signed for baseball at Seminole State.
(Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.)’s Cailey Grinstead signed for volleyball at Missouri State.
(Submitted photo)
Poteau (Okla.) baseball player Coby Bell signed at Cowley College.
(Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Colton Pulliam signed for baseball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
(Submitted photo)
Spiro (Okla.)’s Corbin Miller signed for baseball with University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain.
(Submitted photo)
Muldrow (Okla.) standout Kiki Wight signed for basketball at University of the Ozarks.
(Submitted photo)
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card in Oklahoma City, including a pair to the main event fighters.
After UFC Fight Night 281, four fighters picked up an extra $100,000 for their performances at Paycom Center. Additionally, two fighters got $25,000 extra checks for finishes that weren’t bonus-winners.
Check out the list of winners below.
Dricus Du Plessis (24-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) put on a masterful performance with a unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC), whose return to middleweight ended in failure – and him saying he didn’t want to be a sore loser, then listing about six reasons why he was being precisely that. Du Plessis frequently made Usman look slow, though the broadcast team starting in the third round lauded him for his grit. DDP’s scorecards included a 50-45, which Usman took particular exception with as part of his “I’m not a sore loser” sore loser time on the microphone with Daniel Cormier, who seemed unsure if he should feel sorry for him or be embarrassed for his assertion that he somehow was in a competitive fight.
Performance of the Night: Felipe Franco ($100,000)
Felipe Franco (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) turned in a performance to remember for his first win in the UFC when he took out Levi Rodrigues (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a second-round TKO. Back at 205 pounds after a loss in his UFC debut at heavyweight, Franco mounted Rodrigues and pounded him out in the second frame.
Performance of the Night: Tommy McMillen ($100,000)
Tommy McMillen (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) looked like a star has been born when he set a new promotional record for significant strikes in a three-round featherweight fight. And thought he took a few licks himself from Alberto Montes (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), he put him away with about 90 seconds left in the fight after a torrid of standup punishment.
Finish bonus: R.J. Harris ($25,000)
R.J. Harris (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had a stellar debut in the UFC at heavyweight when he drilled Alvin Hines (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with an uppercut in the first round that took him off his feet. Harris was on him in the bat of an eye and a few punches later had a stoppage in 100 seconds.
Finish bonus: Dione Barbosa ($25,000)
Dione Barbosa (10-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) made things look easy against Alice Melisano (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Knowing her easiest path to victory was on the canvas, she took the UFC newcomer and “TUF” grad down right away, then worked her way to an eventual rear-naked choke finish in the opening round. Barbosa was the second biggest betting favorite on the card at 7-1.
The Oklahoma Sooners surprised the college football world with their breakthrough 2025 season. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff after a 6-7 season in 2024.
The Sooners navigated one of the toughest schedules in college football and still finished the regular season with a 10-2 record. With another offseason of development and the return of several key contributors, expectations are high around Norman heading into 2026. However, that optimism has not carried over to the national conversation.
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects the Sooners will finish with a 7-5 record this season. Despite that projection, FPI still ranks Oklahoma as the No. 12 team in the country. That disrespect likely comes from the up-and-down tenure under head coach Brent Venables. So far, he’s had two double-digit-win seasons, while also having two losing seasons. Oklahoma hadn’t had a losing season since 1998 until Venables took over before the 2022 season.
On3’s Ari Wasserman said that Oklahoma has been overlooked nationally on his show with Andy Staples.
Oklahoma has already shown it can compete at the highest level after making the College Football Playoff in its first season as an SEC member. Now, the challenge is proving that last season was not just a one-year breakthrough.
With a talented roster, an elite defense, and key players returning, the Sooners have the opportunity to exceed national expectations and establish themselves as a consistent contender in the SEC.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
Du Plessis returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev last August. Standing across from him is Usman, a former welterweight champion who defended his title five times, with signature wins over Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The pair headline a stacked card filled with rising contenders and can’t-miss prospects.
Where To Watch UFC Oklahoma City
Live results, highlights, fight recaps, post-fight interviews and more will be added throughout the event. Preview each matchup below before the action begins. The main card kicks off Saturday at 8pm ET/5pm PT live on Paramount+ in the United States.
UFC Oklahoma City Main Card Results:
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