Dricus du Plessis has laid out his ambitious plans to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship before moving up to light heavyweight, where he believes he's "certain to be a champion".
Du Plessis was last in action in July when he defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision at UFC OKC.
It was the South African's first fight in over a year after he relinquished his middleweight crown to Khamzat Chimaev, who remains champion.
Du Plessis had held the middleweight belt since January 2024 when he conquered Sean Strickland by split decision, and 'Stillknocks' successfully defended his title twice - including a second win over Strickland at UFC 312 - before the chastening defeat to Chimaev.
After returning to winning ways in the summer, Du Plessis is desperate to get himself back into the number one contender spot at 185lbs prior - but he won't be content at retrieving middleweight gold.
"I want to get my belt back and eventually go up to 205 and go test myself there," said Du Plessis in an interview Sias du Plessis.
"I’m certain that I’ll be a champion. I’m big enough for that division, and I’m certain I can be champion at that division as well."
One of the heavier middleweights in the division, Du Plessis believes making the transition into light heavyweight shouldn't be too difficult.
“In pounds, it’s 45 pounds that I’m cutting,” he added. “Even more sometimes from where I walk around outside of a camp to fight. It’s ridiculous. It’s crazy. But my team is great. We’ve done this for many years. We we got it down to a science.
“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.”
