Du Plessis Coach Turned Down UFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Offer
Dricus du Plessis' coach Morne Visser revealed that the UFC offered the former middleweight champion a spot in a four-man light heavyweight tournament, which their team declined.
· VILLAND PICK editorial
Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis was offered a spot in a proposed four-man light heavyweight tournament, according to his head coach Morne Visser. Speaking to Fight Forecast, the Team CIT coach stated that the UFC approached them about three weeks ago regarding a move up to 205 pounds.
According to Visser, the proposed concept would have featured du Plessis alongside Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Navajo Stirling. Under the format, the tournament winner would secure a title shot against reigning light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who is currently sidelined with an injury.
However, Visser rejected the UFC's proposal. The coach explained that their priority remains reclaiming the 185-pound championship and defending it once before moving up. Visser emphasized that stepping up to light heavyweight remains in their long-term plans, but requires gradual physical preparation, noting it previously took a full year to transition du Plessis from welterweight to middleweight.
Du Plessis bounced back from losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev by securing a unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman in July. The South African also holds two career wins over current middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Meanwhile, Prochazka and Stirling are scheduled to headline UFC Qatar on Nov. 21, while Ankalaev currently has no announced bout.
Sources
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