1. Sean Strickland
- Current Status: Former UFC Middleweight Champion; #1 in the UFC middleweight rankings, and #13 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
- Record: 29 wins, 6 losses. Recent losses include a split decision loss to du Plessis in January 2024 and a split decision loss to Jared Cannonier in December 2022.
- Recent Wins: Victory over Israel Adesanya (decision) in September 2023 and a win over Paulo Costa (decision) in June 2024.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Despite losing to du Plessis in their previous bout, Strickland remains a top contender and a major draw. A rematch could resolve any lingering questions about the first fight and provide a compelling storyline given their history. Strickland’s aggressive style and striking prowess make him a challenging and interesting opponent for du Plessis.
2. Winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 308)
Robert Whittaker
- Current Status: Former UFC Middleweight Champion; #3 in the UFC middleweight rankings as of September 2023.
- Record: 26 wins, 7 losses. Recently defeated Ikram Aliskerov and Paulo Costa, but lost to du Plessis in July 2023.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Whittaker is a former champion and a significant figure in the middleweight division. A fight against him would offer du Plessis a high-profile matchup against a well-respected veteran. Their prior bout could also set up a compelling narrative for a rematch if Whittaker wins his next fight.
Khamzat Chimaev
- Current Status: Undefeated in MMA; #11 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
- Record: 13 wins, 0 losses. Recently defeated Kamaru Usman and Kevin Holland.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Chimaev’s undefeated record and dominant performances make him an intriguing opponent. His rapid rise and impressive grappling credentials contrast well with du Plessis’s style. A fight between them would attract significant attention and test du Plessis against one of the most promising up-and-comers in the sport.
3. Winner of UFC Vegas 96 Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
Jared Cannonier
- Current Status: #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
- Record: 17 wins, 7 losses. Recent wins include a decision over Marvin Vettori and a knockout win over Derek Brunson.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Cannonier has been a top contender and his power striking makes him a dangerous opponent. A fight with du Plessis could be a high-stakes bout given Cannonier’s experience and notable wins.
Caio Borralho
- Current Status: #12 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
- Record: 14 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw. Recent performances have been impressive but less experienced against top-tier opponents compared to du Plessis.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: If Borralho wins against Cannonier, it would signify his readiness for a title shot. Facing a relatively untested but highly ranked challenger could offer du Plessis a chance to solidify his position as champion against a fresh face in the division.
