Former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis captured the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in January 2024 by defeating current titleholder Sean Strickland via spit decision. He dominated Strickland in their rematch at UFC 312.
“Stillknocks” lost the belt to Khamzat Chimaev in one-sided fashion at UFC 319 but rebounded from the loss in his last outing by soundly defeating former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. With the win, and considering the landscape in the weight class, Du Plessis believes he could fight for the title next.
“After the last fight, I just prove again that I can be the best in the world and that I will be the best in the world. Where we are at right now is continuing building on those blocks that we built before that fight. Looking at what’s next, I mean, time waits for no one. Right now, they’re obviously going to do Strickland and [Nassourdine] Imavov. I think the middleweight division is in a bit of a, it’s a weird situation because who gets the next title shot? And I’m 100% ready for that,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast.
In light of Strickland’s recent comments about wanting to transition into boxing and a willingness to give up the 185-pound title, the top of the middleweight division is at a standstill. Strickland wants more money and judging from his social media posts, negotiations aren’t going well.
“I had an injury. I was out for a while, but I told them I would be ready to fight early next year. It’s interesting because I don’t know what they’re going to do. Who are they going to make me fight? They’re not going to make me fight backwards. And right now we have Strickland, Imavov, Khamzat and myself. So, It’s going to be interesting,” continued the South African.
“You’re as good as your last fight. Obviously I last a bout. I was off 11 months working on everything to be the best in the world again. I have no doubt that I will be champion again.”