Dricus du Plessis vs Ankalaev Floated as UFC Light Heavyweight Option

Magomed Ankalaev has named Dricus du Plessis as a possible opponent at light heavyweight, giving South African UFC fans a fresh angle on the former middleweight champion’s next move. His comments describe a potential pairing, with no agreed date, event or accepted offer established publicly.

The suggestion also raises a sporting question. Du Plessis has spoken about becoming a champion in two UFC divisions, but his stated priority is regaining the middleweight belt. Facing Ankalaev next would bring that proposed move forward and put him straight into an elite 205-pound assignment.

Ankalaev welcomes the possibility of facing Dricus

Our coverage of Brendan Allen’s callout of Dricus examined a contender seeking a middleweight meeting. Ankalaev’s remarks introduce a different route, against an opponent already established near the top of the heavier division.

Speaking in Russian in a BOSTANOV MMA interview published on 19 October, Ankalaev said Du Plessis’s name had come up as an option. In MiddleEasy’s English translation, he said: “It is possible they will arrange a fight between us.” He also expressed his own interest.

Ankalaev discussed December as the period he was seeking for a return, but that doesn’t establish a December booking against Dricus. Subsequent reports trace back to the same interview, rather than independently confirming an agreement. No public UFC announcement or response accepting the pairing from Du Plessis or his representatives was identified by Tuesday morning.

The middleweight belt still comes first for Du Plessis

Du Plessis’s separate interview on The Sias du Plessis Show, uploaded to YouTube on 18 October, sets out his preferred order: recover his middleweight championship, then test himself at light heavyweight. Those comments preceded Ankalaev’s interview and shouldn’t be presented as a response to it.

His estimate covers the journey from life outside camp to the scales. In the remarks reported by MiddleEasy, he put that reduction at around 45lb, approximately 20kg, rather than describing a fight-week water cut of that amount. He believes he has the size to succeed at 205lb.

The championship limits are 185lb at middleweight and 205lb at light heavyweight, roughly 84kg and 93kg. Moving up would reduce the amount he needs to lose to make the divisional limit, while changing the physical demands posed by his opponents. It wouldn’t, by itself, establish improved conditioning or greater effectiveness.

Dricus still has a strong position at 185 pounds

The UFC’s current rankings list Sean Strickland as middleweight champion, with Khamzat Chimaev first, Du Plessis second, Nassourdine Imavov third and Allen fourth. Dricus has beaten Strickland twice, but that history doesn’t guarantee another title opportunity.

Du Plessis’s latest fight was his five-round unanimous-decision victory over Kamaru Usman in Oklahoma City in July, following his August 2025 title loss to Chimaev. Allen’s fifth-round submission of Christian Leroy Duncan on 10 October strengthened another contender’s case and prompted his renewed challenge to Dricus.

A middleweight contender fight could strengthen Du Plessis’s claim within that division. An Ankalaev bout would begin a separate campaign at 205lb and take up a fight camp he could otherwise devote to his middleweight return. Nor would it deliver a light heavyweight belt: Carlos Ulberg is the current champion, with Ankalaev among the leading contenders.

Height alone won’t decide a potential matchup

The UFC lists Ankalaev at 6ft 3in with a 75-inch reach, compared with Du Plessis at 6ft 1in with a 76-inch reach. Dricus would give up height, but not listed reach. The useful technical question is how effectively he could close distance and sustain offence against a leading light heavyweight.

Ankalaev’s measured striking and 88% UFC takedown-defence figure would make reckless entries a concern. Du Plessis brings pressure and a finishing record that includes 11 submission wins, giving him routes beyond a striking exchange. Our assessment would focus on whether he can turn entries into productive clinch or ground positions without absorbing damaging counters.

Both have completed five-round championship fights. That experience helps frame the contest, but the scheduled distance would still need confirmation before assessing the winner, method or totals discussed in our MMA betting coverage.

The Betting Read

There’s no verified Du Plessis–Ankalaev market to recommend here. A confirmed weight, scheduled distance and preparation window would be necessary before assessing any quoted price. Fight-winner analysis would centre on who can impose effective offence; method and round-total selections would require a more specific account of how that offence produces a finish.

For South African readers using our sports betting overview, the useful next development is a confirmed matchup. Ankalaev has made the possibility newsworthy. Whether Dricus chooses it ahead of his stated middleweight priority remains unresolved.

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