Dricus Du Plessis has apologized to fans for the delay in announcing his next fight, making clear that the hold-up lies entirely with his opponent. Du Plessis confirmed he has already signed and sealed his side of the deal.
Dricus Du Plessis has broken his silence on the delayed announcement of his next middleweight bout, explaining that the holdup rests entirely with his prospective opponent. The South African confirmed he has already signed his side of the contract and offered an apology to fans left waiting for the news.
Du Plessis, who carries a 23-3-0 record and holds the number-two ranking in the middleweight division, is also ranked seventh pound-for-pound in the sport. The 32-year-old from South Africa is one of the most active offensive forces in the 185-pound weight class, landing 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Fighting out of a switch stance with a 76-inch reach and standing six-foot-one, the Team CIT product has built his reputation on relentless, well-rounded pressure.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis is ranked second at middleweight, meaning his next opponent and the framing of the bout carry serious divisional weight.
- His confirmation that he has already signed suggests the fight is close to finalized, with only the opponent's paperwork standing in the way.
- Any further delay could affect the competitive timeline at the top of the 185-pound division, where rankings movement tends to hinge on how quickly high-profile bouts are made official.
No details about the identity of the opponent have been confirmed, and no official announcement has been made by the promotion at this stage.
