Dricus Du Plessis, the South African MMA fighter called Stillknocks, faced a big moment at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. He lost his UFC Middleweight title to the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev. The match took place at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev was in control from start to finish. He used strong grappling and kept Du Plessis down. In the end, the judges gave all the rounds to Chimaev (50-44, 50-44, 50-44). For Du Plessis, this was a tough loss. He is no longer the champion, and it was his first time losing in the UFC.
People who watch and talk about MMA are now asking what next for Dricus Du Plessis. Will Dricus Du Plessis get another big fight and climb back up in the middleweight division, or will he try something new?
In this blog, we look at the next steps for him, who he might fight next, and what could come in the future for this strong fighter.
Reflecting on UFC 319: A Tough Night for Du Plessis
The UFC 319 main event was a big match between two tough and popular middleweight fighters. Du Plessis had already beaten Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland to keep his title. This time, he went into the fight not expected to win against Chimaev. Chimaev is known for his strong grappling and his 15-0 record, which has no losses. Even though Du Plessis said in interviews before the fight that he would surprise everyone, Chimaev’s hard wrestling was more than Du Plessis could handle.
Chimaev got a takedown just seven seconds after the first round started. He was on top for more than 21 minutes out of the 25-minute fight. This helped him set a UFC record for the most strikes in a middleweight fight. Du Plessis showed a lot of heart, with his best moment coming in the fifth round. At that time, he tried to go on the attack, but it was not enough to change what the judges thought. After the fight, Du Plessis gave respect to Chimaev by saying, He was just like a blanket… big ups to Khamzat. He deserves this one 100%. With this loss, fans are now thinking about Dricus Du Plessis next fight and wondering how he will bounce back.
The Road to Redemption: Potential Opponents for Dricus Du Plessis Next Fight
After losing the middleweight title, Du Plessis is at an important point in his career. He is 31 years old, so he is still at his best. He has a strong record of 23 wins and 3 losses. He has shown he can do well against top fighters. Du Plessis uses a fighting style that is not common. He keeps pushing forward with a lot of hits and tries to take down his opponents in ways that are hard to guess. This style makes him popular with fans, and it is hard for other fighters to beat him. Here are some matchups that Du Plessis could get for his next fight. These could help him get back in line for the title.
1. Nassourdine Imavov
2. Caio Borralho
3. Reinier De Ridder
4. Anthony Hernandez
5. Sean Strickland (Trilogy Fight)
Could Dricus Du Plessis Move to Light Heavyweight?
Before UFC 319, Du Plessis talked about his plan to go up to light heavyweight (205 pounds). He wants to fight in two weight classes and try for two titles. Some people, like Joe Rogan and former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub, say that Du Plessis is big enough for light heavyweight. Schaub even thinks Du Plessis might fight at heavyweight in the future. This new idea gives fans something more to think about when looking at Dricus Du Plessis next fight.
However, Du Plessis has talked about wanting to beat everyone in the middleweight division before moving up. He lost his last fight, so now he may want to win back the 185-pound title first, before aiming for a second belt. If he goes to light heavyweight, he could face tough fighters like Magomed Ankalaev, the champion right now, or Alex Pereira, who used to be champion and has also talked about going up to heavyweight. At this time, Du Plessis is set on getting back to the top in the middleweight division, but jumping up to 205 pounds might still happen down the line.
What Dricus Du Plessis Needs to Improve
The loss to Chimaev showed some weak spots in Du Plessis’s fighting style. He had trouble stopping takedowns, and could not get away when he was on the ground. To get ready for Dricus Du Plessis’s next fight, there are some main things he might work on:
Du Plessis uses some talk-about training methods. For example, if he makes a mistake in the gym, he gets tased. People say this helps him grow stronger in his mind. This different way of training might keep helping him as he works hard to get back to the top.
The State of the UFC Middleweight Division
The middleweight division keeps changing, with Chimaev now at the top. There is a lot of talent in this division. Some names are former champions like Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. Rising stars include Imavov, Borralho, and Shara Magomedov. Du Plessis lost at UFC 319, but this does not lower how good people see him. He has wins over Adesanya, Whittaker, and Strickland two times. His next fight will be very important. It will show if he stays one of the best fighters or if he has to prove again that he should fight for the title.
The UFC’s matchmaking choices will also have a big impact. Imavov and Borralho are about to face each other. The one who wins could get a shot at the title. This may mean Du Plessis will have to wait to be in line for the top spot again. On the other hand, a big fight with a well-liked name like Strickland or a new face like De Ridder could help Du Plessis stay popular and in the news.
Fan and Analyst Predictions for Dricus Du Plessis Next Fight
Sentiment on platforms like X shows that fans want to see Du Plessis back in action soon. Many posts say they believe he can come back strong. Some think he will face Imavov or Borralho in his next fight. Analysts have praised the way Du Plessis fights and the way he keeps going, even after a loss. Many people still think he is one of the top fighters out there. Most agree that Dricus Du Plessis’ next fight will be a big moment. It can either make him stand out as a top fighter for a long time, or show that he needs to change some things.
What Does the Future Hold for Dricus Du Plessis?
At 31, Du Plessis has a lot of time left to win back the middleweight title or try to become a champion in two divisions. He has won nine fights in a row in the middleweight division before UFC 319. This shows that he can go against the best in the sport. It does not matter if he stays at 185 pounds or moves up to light heavyweight. Du Plessis stands out because of the way he fights and how hard he works. He is someone people should keep an eye on.
His next fight will be set for early 2026. This is because the UFC has a busy schedule, and he needs time to heal after that tough five-round match. People can look for Du Plessis to come back with something to prove. He wants to show that his loss to Chimaev was just a small bump in the road on his way to being great.
Conclusion: Stay Tuned for Dricus Du Plessis Next Fight
Dricus Du Plessis still has a long road ahead in the UFC. His loss at UFC 319 to Khamzat Chimaev was tough, but it gives him a chance to learn and get better. The middleweight division is always changing, and Du Plessis is still one of the top names in it. There are some exciting fights that could happen next for him. These fights could be against Imavov, Borralho, De Ridder, Hernandez, or maybe a third fight with Strickland. People are excited to see what he does next. Whether he stays in middleweight or moves to light heavyweight, Dricus Du Plessis’s next fight will be a big event that many MMA fans will be waiting to watch.
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