Multiple insiders report that a fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is in development. This comes after Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge Du Plessis, leading to a social media exchange where the champion invited Borralho to spar at his gym. Borralho responded by telling Du Plessis to sign a contract, while Du Plessis questioned why Borralho's name would be in any negotiations. The post also notes that Shavkat Rakhmonov has been out of action for over a year and a half, and that he recently concerned fans with rehabilitation footage showing him far from fighting condition.
Multiple insiders report that a middleweight title fight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and former welterweight king Kamaru Usman is in development, though nothing has been officially confirmed as of yet.
The backdrop to the report is a public confrontation between Du Plessis and the fourth-ranked middleweight contender Caio Borralho. Borralho, 33, traveled to South Africa to issue a face-to-face challenge to the champion, prompting a social media exchange in which Du Plessis invited him to spar at his gym. Borralho fired back, telling the champion to sign a contract instead. Du Plessis responded by questioning why Borralho's name would even surface in title negotiations. The Brazilian carries an 18-2 record and lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's more well-rounded threats.
Du Plessis, 32, holds a 23-3 record and is ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound. The South African southpaw-switch hitter is one of the sport's busiest strikers, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute, and also contributes on the ground with 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The report also raises the status of undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked third at 170 pounds. The 31-year-old Kazakhstani holds a perfect 19-0 record and carries a 77-inch reach at six-foot-four, but has been sidelined for more than a year and a half. Recent rehabilitation footage drew concern among fans, with Rakhmonov appearing far from ready to compete.
Why it matters
- A Du Plessis-Usman booking would sideline Borralho despite his top-four ranking and public pursuit of the title.
- Rakhmonov's prolonged absence creates uncertainty at the top of a welterweight division that could use its top contender back.
- Borralho's willingness to travel internationally to confront the champion signals he intends to pressure the UFC into a title shot sooner rather than later.
