Magomed Ankalaev next fight: Dricus du Plessis named in light heavyweight talks

Magomed Ankalaev says a light heavyweight fight with Dricus du Plessis is possible, but du Plessis has said he wants to win back the middleweight title before moving up.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 20 Oct, 03:00 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Magomed Ankalaev says Dricus du Plessis's name has come up in talks about his next fight, and that a meeting between the two former UFC champions at 205 pounds is possible.

Ankalaev told BOSTANOV MMA he had originally informed the UFC that he wanted to return in October, but it now looks unlikely he will fight again this year. He said he is interested in facing du Plessis, adding: “Yes, he wants to move up and it’s possible that they will book a fight between us.” He stressed that nothing further had been settled: “That’s the only information we have for now, we don’t have anything else.” Both men are former champions searching for a route back to a title. Ankalaev beat Bogdan Guskov last time out, his first win since losing the light heavyweight belt, but the victory did not earn him a rematch for the title. Du Plessis beat Kamaru Usman in July after losing the middleweight title last year. As former champions ranked near the top of their divisions, neither has many obvious opponents.

The middleweight picture has been held up by Sean Strickland's dispute with the UFC, and Ankalaev's comments suggest that stall could push du Plessis up a division for his next big fight.

Du Plessis has made no secret of his plans to compete at light heavyweight eventually, but he recently told The Sias du Plessis Show that he has unfinished business first. “I want to get my belt back and eventually go up to 205 and go test myself there.” he said. “And I’m certain that I’ll be a champion. I’m big enough for that division, and I’m certain I can be champion at that division as well.”

In this story

Magomed Ankalaev Bogdan Guskov Kamaru Usman Sean Strickland