Dricus du Plessis Coach Says Camp Rejected UFC Light Heavyweight Tournament

Dricus du Plessis’s camp has put the middleweight championship ahead of an immediate move up a division, with coach Morné Visser saying he rejected a UFC proposal for a four-man light heavyweight tournament.

The reported approach would have offered the South African a route towards champion Carlos Ulberg. Visser’s explanation, however, makes clear that the team sees unfinished business at 185 pounds and wants time to build Dricus into a fighter equipped for the heavier division.

Visser explains why the camp said no

Our report on Ankalaev’s interest in facing Dricus examined a possible meeting at 205 pounds. Visser’s newly reported comments add the camp’s position on a broader proposal and help explain why an immediate switch has not materialised.

Speaking on the 20 October episode of Fight Forecast, according to Sherdog’s account of the interview, Visser said the UFC approached him roughly three weeks earlier. Du Plessis, Magomed Ankalaev and Jiří Procházka were among the names discussed; reports identify the fourth contender as Navajo Stirling.

The proposed prize was a chance to challenge Ulberg. Visser described opening contests on the same card, followed by a meeting between the winners and then a championship opportunity. The timing of the later stages remains unclear, so describing the entire competition as a confirmed one-night tournament would go beyond what has been established.

The UFC has not publicly announced such a tournament. Visser’s account also leaves open whether the other fighters accepted places in the proposed field, so it cannot establish an agreed bracket or a scheduled event.

The objection was about preparation as much as ambition. In the remarks reproduced by MMA Mania, Visser recalled spending a year developing Du Plessis from welterweight into a middleweight. He argued that adding weight alone would not produce the power required to compete effectively at 205 pounds.

His preferred sequence is specific: regain the middleweight championship, defend it once, then move up gradually. That leaves the second-division ambition alive while setting a much more demanding timetable than simply accepting the next available light heavyweight opponent.

For South African supporters, the attraction of another belt is obvious. But a successful move would require Dricus to carry his physical effectiveness into a division with a championship limit roughly nine kilograms higher. Visser’s reasoning centres on doing that work before committing to the assignment.

Dricus has options at middleweight

The immediate sporting argument for staying at 185 pounds is strong. The UFC’s current rankings place Du Plessis second among the contenders, behind Khamzat Chimaev, with Sean Strickland holding the championship. Nassourdine Imavov is third and Brendan Allen fourth.

Dricus has already beaten Strickland twice. He also returned to winning ways against Kamaru Usman in Oklahoma City on 18 July, following his title loss to Chimaev in August 2025. The UFC’s official results record a unanimous decision, with scores of 50–45, 49–46 and 49–46.

That gives the former champion a credible case for another title opportunity, although the UFC still has to decide his route. A third Strickland meeting would offer familiar opposition; a contender bout would ask him to strengthen that claim through another result.

Allen remains part of the discussion. MiddleEasy’s detailed account of Visser’s interview says the coach described agreeing in principle to that matchup while still waiting for a date and contract. Visser also favoured Imavov as a possible opponent and said the camp would accept another Strickland fight.

Allen, Imavov and Strickland remain possibilities, with no next opponent confirmed. Visser is aiming to have Dricus ready in late February or March 2027, leaving UFC matchmakers to settle the opponent, event and stakes.

Dricus’s team is backing the route that could restore a championship he has already held. A successful return would also put a future move up on firmer sporting ground, although winning back the belt and defending it would each require another major performance.

The Betting Read

A return at middleweight would let punters assess Dricus in the division where he built his UFC record. Against Allen, we’d examine how he handles the grappling exchanges. A Strickland rematch would bring his ability to disrupt a measured striking rhythm back into focus, with their previous meetings providing relevant evidence.

We would start with the confirmed opponent and scheduled distance, then assess the available UFC betting markets against that particular contest. A tournament report cannot establish a current price, and we have no verified market here from which to recommend a selection.

For readers comparing decimal odds through our sports betting guide, the next announcement will provide the missing basis for that comparison. Visser has explained the camp’s preference. A booking will show whether the UFC’s matchmaking follows it.

Welcome bonus

100% up to R5,000

New customers only. T&Cs apply.

Claim now ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means. This guide is written for South African residents and refers to operators licensed by provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act. If gambling is taking a toll on you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0800 006 008, or text HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.