Magomed Ankalaev has revealed in a recent interview that there have been talks about a potential light heavyweight showdown with Dricus du Plessis! According to Ankalaev, DDP is interested in moving up to 205 lbs, and a fight between the two could be in the works. Ankalaev also confirmed that he’s interested in making the fight happen. Would you guys wanna see this fight happen? (via Bostanov MMA) #ufc #mma #magomedankalaev #dricusduplessis #seanstrickland
Magomed Ankalaev says discussions have taken place about a light heavyweight fight with Dricus du Plessis, a matchup that remains unconfirmed and rests on the Russian's own account. The talk surfaced in a recent interview, as relayed by Bostanov MMA.
According to Ankalaev, du Plessis is interested in moving up to 205 pounds, and a fight between the two could be in the works. Ankalaev also said he is keen to make the bout happen. No date, venue or event has been reported, and there is no sign the UFC has signed off on anything.
Ankalaev, 34, is ranked number one at light heavyweight and fifth on the AgentMMA pound-for-pound list. The Russian, who trains with Gorets Fight Club, stands six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach and carries a 22-2-1 record. He lands 3.65 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes.
His recent run has swung both ways. Ankalaev beat Alex Pereira by unanimous decision over five rounds at UFC 313 in March 2025 to take the title, then lost the rematch by first-round knockout at UFC 320 that October. His most recent recorded fight was a fifth-round KO/TKO win over Bogdan Guskov at a UFC Fight Night on July 25, 2026.
Du Plessis is not among the fighters profiled in this report, so his current record and status are not detailed here. The reported plan is for him to leave his usual weight class and compete at light heavyweight, the division Ankalaev currently tops in the rankings.
Why it matters
- Ankalaev sits at number one at 205 pounds, so a fight with a newcomer to the division would be a high-profile test either way.
- A move up by du Plessis would add a new name to a light heavyweight picture that has been dominated by Ankalaev and Pereira.
- Ankalaev's 3.65 strikes landed per minute and 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes point to a striker-first approach, with wrestling used sparingly.
Until the promotion or the fighters make anything official, the matchup stays in the realm of talk.
