Dricus Du Plessis targets UFC belts at two weights after win over Kamaru Usman

The former UFC middleweight champion wants his 185lb title back before moving up to light heavyweight, and says he cuts 45lb, sometimes more, to make middleweight.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 20 Oct, 13:17 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Dricus Du Plessis has set out a plan to win UFC titles in two divisions, starting with regaining the middleweight belt before moving up to light heavyweight.

Du Plessis won the middleweight title from Sean Strickland in January 2024 and defended it twice before losing it to Khamzat Chimaev. He returned to winning ways against Kamaru Usman in July and said he picked up some small injuries in that fight but is now ready to compete again.

In an interview, Du Plessis said: “I wanna get my belt back, and eventually go up to 205 and go test myself there.” He added that he was big enough for the 205lb division and was certain he could become champion there as well.

A move up would ease his weight cut. Du Plessis said he cuts 45lb to make middleweight, and sometimes more from his weight outside of a fight camp. He called the cut ridiculous but said his team had refined the process over many years.

He acknowledged the toll it takes, saying: “I’m not gonna sit here and say, ‘No, It’s good for you.’ It isn’t. But, I mean, getting punched in the head is also not good for you. So, I made my choices, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Du Plessis said that after the Chimaev defeat he had worked to correct his mistakes, and that beating Usman showed the work had paid off. Asked who he wants next, he said he wants to face the best possible opponent to prove he is the greatest fighter ever, adding: “And to do that, you can’t just beat a couple of champions. You need to own your route to that title. Take the tough fights that nobody wants, and I’ve been willing to do that.”

In this story

Dricus Du Plessis Kamaru Usman Sean Strickland Khamzat Chimaev