Former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis captured the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in January 2024 by defeating current titleholder Sean Strickland via a split decision. He dominated Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312.
Stillknocks lost the belt to Hamzat Chimaev in a one-sided decision at UFC 319, but bounced back with a victory over former heavyweight champion Kamaru Usman in his last bout. With the win, and considering the landscape in the weight class, Du Plessis believes he can challenge for the next title.
Advertising
“After the last fight, I’m proving again that I can be the best in the world and I can be the best in the world. Where we are right now is continuing to build on the blocks that we built before that fight. Looking forward, I mean time waits for no one. Right now they’re obviously going to fight Strickland. [Nassourdine] Imavov. I think the middleweight division is a little underwhelming, which is a weird situation because who gets the next title shot? I’m 100% ready for it,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast.
In light of Strickland’s recent comments about wanting to switch to boxing and being willing to relinquish the 185-pound title, the top of the middleweight division is at a standstill. Strickland wants more money, and according to his social media posts, negotiations are not going well.
“I had an injury. I was out for a while, but I said I’ll 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 back. Right now it’s Strickland, Imavov, Hamzat and myself. So the South Africans will be interesting.”
“You’re only as good as your last fight. Obviously, I’m ready for a few more fights. I’ve had 11 months of working on everything to be the best in the world again. I have no doubt that I’ll be champion again.”