Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has addressed recent claims surrounding a potential fight with Kamaru Usman and according to the South African star, the matchup was never formally offered to him.
As Dricus Du Plessis prepares for his return to the Octagon, his focus remains clear: earn another shot at middleweight gold and work his way back into title contention following his loss to reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
While rumors surfaced linking Du Plessis to a high-profile clash with former welterweight king Kamaru Usman at 185 pounds, the former champion quickly shut down the narrative during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I know they said Kamaru Usman got the offer, but I didn’t get that offer, ever,” Du Plessis said.
“If they gave me that offer, I would’ve taken that fight if that’s what they offered me. Whatever gets me to a title shot again, that’s what I need. I like any fights.”
After suffering his first UFC defeat against Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis believes he remains firmly positioned near the top of the middleweight division. The former champion insists that a fight against a big name like Usman would have made perfect sense for both fighters’ championship ambitions.
“He has his reasons for declining, and his team too,” Du Plessis explained. “Maybe they don’t like my style or don’t like the fight. But yeah, 100 percent, I had just had the belt.”
“It’s not like I’m a former champion from years ago. I literally just lost the belt. So if you’re looking for that title shot, that fight makes a lot of sense.”
Du Plessis’ message was clear — he remains willing to fight anyone if it moves him closer to reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship.
Usman recently revealed that the UFC presented him with a potential bout against Dricus Du Plessis, but the Nigerian star appears more interested in pursuing a superfight with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman explained his current mindset regarding future matchups.
“When I say I can still do this at the high level, I mean that,” Usman said. “For some reason, we’ve had conversations, and Hunter Campbell feels differently.”
“They haven’t come out and said Islam is going to get this guy or Islam is going to get me, but it has been a tumultuous journey trying to get that done.”
Usman added that moving up to middleweight must come with clear stakes attached.
“It has to be meaningful. I am not just here to fight the fight. If it gets me to the title that I want, that is what I want.”
With several contenders circling the middleweight division, Dricus Du Plessis now waits to see who the UFC places in front of him next. A No. 1 contender bout appears to be the most logical path as he pushes for another meeting with Chimaev.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding potential opponents, Du Plessis’ stance remains unchanged, he wants meaningful fights, quick momentum, and a direct route back to championship gold.
For Dricus Du Plessis, the mission is simple: win one big fight and reclaim his place at the top of the middleweight division.
