Du Plessis Coach Rejects UFC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix

Dricus du Plessis will not take part in a proposed four-man UFC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, after his head coach Morne Visser turned down the promotion's offer to move the Middleweight champion up to 205 pounds.

Visser told Fight Forecast that UFC approached him roughly three weeks ago with a plan to fast-track a new top contender for Light Heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg. The format called for four fighters, du Plessis, Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, to be paired off in a single night, with the winners then meeting each other and the eventual victor earning a shot at Ulberg's belt. Visser said no on du Plessis's behalf.

Why Du Plessis Passed on Moving Up Now

Visser says du Plessis is not physically ready to compete at 205 pounds despite currently cutting around 45 pounds to make Middleweight. "He's not a real 205er," Visser said, adding that building the power needed to fight bigger men takes time. He pointed to the year-long process of shifting du Plessis's body from Welterweight to Middleweight as the template, saying simply adding weight "means absolutely nothing" without the strength gains to match. Visser confirmed a Light Heavyweight run is still the eventual plan for du Plessis, just not on this timeline, and said the priority is reclaiming the Middleweight title and defending it before any jump.

What's Next for Du Plessis at Middleweight

Du Plessis last fought in the UFC Oklahoma City main event, where he beat former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He has since called for another shot at the Middleweight title, a case bolstered by his two prior wins over current champion Sean Strickland. With Strickland having floated vacating the belt, an interim title fight is one path forward. A rematch-style grudge match with surging contender Brendan Allen, with whom du Plessis already has friction, is another live option. Visser says du Plessis is on his honeymoon and targeting a return in late February or March of 2027.

Betting Angle

The collapse of the Grand Prix removes what would have been one of the most bettable brackets on the UFC calendar, a single-elimination style tournament featuring three former champions in Prochazka, Ankalaev and Hill alongside du Plessis. For now, markets have nothing to price around du Plessis at Light Heavyweight. At Middleweight, du Plessis remains the betting favorite in any rematch or interim title scenario given his finishing power and his head-to-head history with Strickland, though a matchup with Allen would likely open closer given Allen's recent form and durability. Expect any line movement to wait until UFC officially books du Plessis's return early in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Dricus du Plessis turn down the UFC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix?

Du Plessis's coach Morne Visser rejected the proposal because he believes du Plessis needs significantly more time to build strength for 205 pounds, comparing it to the year it took to prepare him for the move from Welterweight to Middleweight.

Who was supposed to be in the UFC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix?

The proposed four-man tournament reportedly included Dricus du Plessis, Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, with the winner earning a title shot against champion Carlos Ulberg.

What is next for Dricus du Plessis?

Du Plessis is expected to remain at Middleweight for now, with options including another title shot, an interim title fight if Sean Strickland vacates, or a matchup with Brendan Allen, and his coach says he is targeting a return around February or March 2027.