Dricus Du Plessis to attend Chimaev vs. Strickland at UFC 328

Dricus Du Plessis is set to be ringside when the middleweight title is on the line at UFC 328, with the South African hinting on social media that he is making the trip to Newark for the May 10 card headlined by Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. His post alluded to "unexpected" encounters at the event, raising immediate questions about what his presence could mean for the division's future.

Du Plessis, 32, holds a 23-3-0 record and currently sits at number two in the middleweight rankings and seventh pound-for-pound. Fighting out of Team CIT on a switch stance, he brings a well-rounded threat with 5.18 significant strikes landed per minute and 2.22 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. His attendance in Newark strongly implies he is positioning himself for a shot at whoever leaves with the belt.

Standing in his way is a main event that pits the two fighters ranked directly above him in the division. Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, enters at 31-7-0. The 35-year-old American is one of the busiest strikers in the weight class, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute out of an orthodox stance. Strickland and Du Plessis share identical measurements — both stand six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach.

Chimaev, ranked first at middleweight and tenth pound-for-pound, brings a 15-1-0 record into the contest. The 32-year-old representing the UAE is arguably the most dangerous wrestler in the division, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 60 percent striking accuracy that ranks among the highest in the sport.

Why it matters

• The middleweight title picture becomes clearer after UFC 328, and Du Plessis's presence signals he wants the next shot.
• Whichever fighter wins faces a credible and ranked challenger already in the building.
• The stylistic contrasts between Du Plessis, Chimaev, and Strickland make any future pairing a compelling matchup on paper.