Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis responded to Kamaru Usman’s apparent declining of an alleged fight offer.
Dricus du Plessis is looking to earn another shot at UFC middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev in his planned return to the Octagon. Du Plessis, who lost to Chimaev by unanimous decision last year at UFC 319, envisions a No. 1 contender fight to potentially get back into the middleweight title conversation.
As Du Plessis plots his return to the cage, he was recently linked to a potential showdown with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at 185 lbs. But Usman, who recently admitted that he was offered a fight with Du Plessis, expressed little interest in moving up to middleweight as he plots a fight with UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev.
Du Plessis believes Usman’s recent remarks could potentially hinder his title shot ambitions.
Dricus du Plessis: Kamaru Usman blowing title shot opportunity in declining fights
In a recent appearance on , Du Plessis responded to Usman’s recent remarks.
Kamaru Usman says he was offered Dricus Du Plessis
“The other things were presented to me, like DDP. DDP was presented to me. One thing about me is when they call me and say this guy or that guy, I say yes. It has to be meaningful – if it gets me to the title, that’s what I… pic.twitter.com/CKgb2PepIR
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 26, 2026
“It’s going to be interesting to see who they give me. 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. He has his reasons for [declining], and his team too. 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,” Du Plessis continued. “So if you’re looking for that title shot, that fight makes a lot of sense.”
Usman hasn’t fought since defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta last year, a victory that snapped a three-fight skid. Meanwhile, Du Plessis’ loss to Chimaev was the first in his UFC tenure.
Who do you want Dricus du Plessis to fight against in his return? Let us know in the comments!
