Dricus du Plessis Sets Plan to Reclaim UFC Middleweight Title

Dricus du Plessis has a clear and immediate goal: to win back the UFC middleweight belt he lost earlier this year. The South African star’s commitment to the 185-pound division has, according to his coach, derailed the UFC’s interest in organizing a light heavyweight grand prix tournament. This focus comes as former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev names du Plessis as a potential future opponent, though no fight is booked.

Du Plessis’s two-title roadmap

Du Plessis recently outlined his career priorities in a definitive sequence. He wants another shot at the middleweight title first. Only after he has that gold around his waist again will he consider a permanent move up to the light heavyweight class to chase a second championship. This plan directly addresses his last fight, a defeat that cost him the middleweight crown. His ambition is not only to move up but to do so as a reigning champion, aiming for a legacy-defining double-champ status.

How his decision affected UFC light heavyweight plans

Du Plessis’s coach revealed that the UFC had been keen on staging a grand prix at 205 pounds. A grand prix is a structured tournament format that can bring clarity and excitement to a division. The promotion apparently saw the South African’s potential move as a key piece of that puzzle. But with du Plessis publicly committed to his middleweight mission, those tournament plans have been torpedoed. The organization must now look at other options for its light heavyweight contenders.

Ankalaev welcomes a future showdown

Meanwhile, top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev is waiting for a fight. In a Russian-language interview published on October 19, Ankalaev discussed du Plessis as one possible name for his next assignment. He said he had heard talk of the former middleweight champion moving up and welcomed the challenge, praising du Plessis’s experience and character. Ankalaev was clear, however, that this was just a possibility being discussed, not a signed bout agreement. He remains frustrated by the wait for a confirmed opponent.

The path forward is now sharply defined. Du Plessis’s entire team is operating with the understanding that the middleweight title is the sole target. Any discussions about fights at 205 pounds, including the one mentioned by Ankalaev, are conditional and for the distant future. For now, all energy is directed at securing a rematch for the belt he once held. His next move will be one of the most watched developments in the UFC, setting the course for two weight classes.

Primary Goal: Dricus du Plessis is focused exclusively on regaining the UFC middleweight championship.
Grand Prix Impact: His decision to stay at 185 pounds has reportedly caused the UFC to abandon plans for a light heavyweight grand prix.
Future Speculation: Magomed Ankalaev has acknowledged du Plessis as a potential future opponent at light heavyweight, but no fight is scheduled.
Timeline: Du Plessis’s plan is sequential: win the middleweight title first, then pursue the light heavyweight belt.