Ankalaev Reveals UFC Floated Du Plessis as Next Opponent
Magomed Ankalaev says the UFC has discussed Dricus du Plessis as his next light heavyweight opponent.
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Magomed Ankalaev says the UFC has floated Dricus du Plessis as a potential opponent for his next fight.
"Right now, we're waiting," Ankalaev said. "There's some talk that Dricus du Plessis, he wants to move up and maybe they'll make the fight with me. That's the information we have for now, we don't have any other info yet."
The comments come as du Plessis has publicly discussed moving up to light heavyweight at some point, even as he continues to frame a middleweight title shot as his top priority. Ankalaev's remarks are the first sign that the UFC views a move to 205 pounds as more than just talk, at least as a short-term option while the promotion sorts out its middleweight picture.
Why Would Du Plessis Jump to Light Heavyweight Now?
Du Plessis wants to reclaim the middleweight title before chasing a second weight class, but the path back to a 185-pound shot isn't clean at the moment. Champion Sean Strickland has talked openly about stepping away from the sport rather than defending the belt, and the rest of the division's contenders don't give the promotion an obvious next move. A one-off trip up to light heavyweight against a name like Ankalaev would let the UFC build a marquee matchup without waiting on the middleweight logjam to clear.
Whether du Plessis actually signs on is the real question. He's spent months making clear his priority is getting the middleweight belt back, and a detour to 205 pounds, win or lose, changes the shape of that pursuit.
Betting Angle
Nothing is signed yet, so there's no line to point to, but the framing matters for bettors tracking both divisions. If du Plessis does take the fight, expect him to open as an underdog given the size jump to light heavyweight, a number worth watching once the promotion makes it official. Until then, how the middleweight title situation around Strickland shakes out is the bigger driver of whether this fight ever gets made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Magomed Ankalaev confirm a fight with Dricus du Plessis?
No. Magomed Ankalaev said the UFC has discussed Dricus du Plessis as a potential opponent for his next fight, but nothing has been finalized.
Why would Dricus du Plessis move up to light heavyweight?
Dricus du Plessis has said he wants to become a two-division champion, though he has prioritized getting a middleweight title shot first given the uncertainty around champion Sean Strickland.
