Dricus du Plessis Eyes Light Heavyweight After Title Run

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Dricus du Plessis says he wants to reclaim UFC middleweight gold before eventually testing himself at light heavyweight. The former UFC middleweight champion, who dropped the belt to Khamzat Chimaev, laid out the plan on "The Sias du Plessis Show" and made clear the 205-pound move is not his immediate priority.

"I want to get my belt back and eventually go up to 205 and go test myself there, and I'm certain that I will be a champion," du Plessis said. "I'm big enough for that division, and I'm certain I can be champion at that division, as well."

What Is Dricus du Plessis's Plan At Middleweight?

Dricus du Plessis says winning back the UFC middleweight title comes first, with a title defense to follow before any jump in weight. He was emphatic that a rematch or any new opponent has to make sense on resume alone. "I want that belt back, get a defense, and see if we do another one if there's any fight that makes sense," he said. "Fighting for the belt, that is definitely, I'm fighting for the belt. I'm getting my belt back."

Du Plessis enters this stretch of his career on a bounce-back win over Kamaru Usman after losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev. At 32 years old and 10-1 in the UFC, he has already shown he belongs at the top of one of the sport's deepest divisions, successfully defending the belt twice before Chimaev took it from him.

Why Light Heavyweight, And Why Not Yet?

Dricus du Plessis made clear the light heavyweight move is a longer-term ambition rather than a fight the UFC should expect to book soon. "Not necessarily in 2027, but if the opportunity is there, it's there," he said, tying the timeline directly to how his middleweight run plays out. That is a notable change from fighters who float a weight class jump as leverage. Du Plessis is framing it as a career-capping project, not an escape route from a stacked 185-pound field.

Betting Angle

This is a story about positioning more than a betting event, since no fight has been booked. But it matters for how oddsmakers and sportsbooks will treat du Plessis going forward. A fighter publicly committing to a middleweight title run first removes any ambiguity that might otherwise affect futures markets on who challenges for the belt next. If du Plessis does get his rematch or a new title shot, expect him to open as a live betting interest given his recent form, and any light heavyweight talk should stay background noise for bettors until there is an actual fight on the UFC's books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Dricus du Plessis lose his UFC middleweight title?

Yes, Dricus du Plessis lost the UFC middleweight championship to Khamzat Chimaev after two successful title defenses.

Is Dricus du Plessis moving to light heavyweight?

Dricus du Plessis says he eventually wants to compete at light heavyweight, but only after first trying to reclaim the UFC middleweight title and defending it.