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UFC Offered Dricus Du Plessis a One-Night Light Heavyweight Tournament for Title Shot

Dricus Du Plessis, known as "Stillknocks," recently expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division to pursue a second UFC championship. He returned to the octagon at UFC Oklahoma, delivering a commanding performance against Kamaru Usman and winning by unanimous decision. While his main focus remains on reclaiming the middleweight belt, Du Plessis has not dismissed the idea of competing at 205 pounds when the timing suits him.

UFC’s Unconventional Proposal: A Four-Man One-Night Tournament

According to Morne Visser, Du Plessis’ coach, the UFC approached them with an unusual proposal involving a rapid tournament to determine the next contender for the light heavyweight title held by Carlos Ulberg. This event would feature four fighters—Jiri Prochazka, Dricus Du Plessis, Magomed Ankalaev, and Navajo Stirling—all competing in a single night.

"UFC wanted him to go up to Light Heavyweight, but that's not going to happen. He's not a real 205er. They asked me three weeks ago. They asked me for Dricus to move up, and we'd join a pool of four fighters — Jiri, Dricus, Ankalaev, and [Stirling]," Visser shared on the Fight Forecast podcast.

The concept involved fighters battling on one night, with winners facing each other afterward, culminating in a final bout where the victor would challenge Ulberg for the title. The UFC hasn't held a tournament of this kind since its earliest days, making the offer particularly striking.

Why Du Plessis Declined the Offer

Visser explained that they turned down the UFC’s pitch because Du Plessis requires more time to adjust physically for the heavier class. Cutting around 45 pounds to make middleweight, the jump to light heavyweight is a significant change. Just gaining weight isn't enough to compete effectively, especially with only three weeks to prepare.

"We rejected the idea because Dricus needed more preparation. Simply moving up in weight wouldn’t be sufficient to take on established light heavyweights," Visser said.

Du Plessis is aiming for a comeback early in 2027 after returning from his honeymoon, likely between late February and March.

Future Plans and Potential Matchups

While a light heavyweight move is part of Du Plessis’ long-term strategy, his camp prefers not to rush it. Discussions about a possible fight against Magomed Ankalaev at 205 pounds have surfaced recently, adding complexity to his next steps.

  • Proposed tournament fighters: Jiri Prochazka, Dricus Du Plessis, Magomed Ankalaev, Navajo Stirling
  • Tournament format: All fights in one night, with winners progressing to face each other, then winner challenges champion Carlos Ulberg
  • Du Plessis' current weight cut: About 45 pounds for middleweight
  • Return timeline: Early 2027, likely February or March

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