Bold claim: Dricus du Plessis is plotting a spring return to UFC action, aiming for a high-stakes April appearance that could set up a hot rematch with a familiar rival. But here’s where it gets controversial… the path back isn’t simple, and the questions around timing, opponents, and belt plans will spark debate among fans and pundits alike.
Dricus du Plessis, the former UFC middleweight champion, is preparing for a comeback tour and hopes to land a spot on UFC 327, scheduled for April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. This would mark his first fight since losing the title earlier in Chicago at UFC 319. While the immediate goal is clear, the opponent isn’t set in stone yet, leaving fans to wonder who will stand across the cage from him in a pivotal moment of his career.
His preferred option remains a five-round rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. In a recent interview with Fight Forecast, Du Plessis said he has spent time addressing slip-ups and is confident he’ll be ready for April. He emphasized that he’s eager to fight on the Miami card, reiterating that reclaiming his belt is the priority, even if the matchup on his wishlist is the high-profile rematch against Chimaev.
Du Plessis acknowledged that a rematch with Chimaev is exactly what he’s aiming for, and he doesn’t anticipate surprises in how Chimaev will approach the rematch. He praised Chimaev for how he won the belt, while insisting it’s his responsibility to adjust, impose his own strategy, and force Chimaev to fight on Du Plessis’s terms.
A potential obstacle remains the UFC’s scheduling preferences. There’s no official main event for UFC 327 yet, though several bouts are already on the card, including a light heavyweight clash between Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker and a 205-pound affair featuring Paulo Costa against Azamat Murzakanov. If the promotion isn’t prioritizing a Chimaev matchup for that show, Du Plessis might have to wait for a different window or accept an opponent who still lets him chase another title run.
As UFC 327 tightens its plans with under two months to go, a decision on Du Plessis’s status could come sooner rather than later. The stakes are high: a successful April return could reset the trajectory of his career and redefine a heated rivalry, while a shift in opponent or payday could alter the path to reclaiming gold.
What do you think—should Du Plessis push for the Chimaev rematch at all costs, or would a different opponent on UFC 327 help him re-enter the title picture more smoothly? Share your thoughts in the comments: is chasing Chimaev the right move, or is there a smarter route back to the belt? And if you’re a fan of the sport’s evolving rivalries, which matchup would you most want to see on the April card?
