Dricus du Plessis says next fight contract ‘signed and sealed,’ accuses foe of delaying

Dricus du Plessis has signalled that his next fight contract is finalized on his end, publicly suggesting that delays in announcing the bout stem from his opponent's reluctance to commit. The South African middleweight, who holds a 23–3 record, won the UFC middleweight title by defeating Sean Strickland in 2024 and successfully defended it twice—against Israel Adesanya and in a rematch with Strickland—before losing the belt to Khamzat Chimaev last August. He has remained inactive since that defeat. On social media, du Plessis indicated frustration with the lag, implying his opponent is hesitant about fighting for a show purse rather than a larger guaranteed payday. The comments appear directed at a fellow former champion, though the specific opponent was not officially named. Meanwhile, his potential foe Kamaru Usman (21–4) has recently returned to action after an extended layoff, recording a victory over Joaquin Buckley in June following a 20-month absence and a three-fight losing streak. The contract situation underscores the behind-the-scenes negotiations that often delay high-profile matchups in combat sports, particularly when fighters and their camps debate compensation structures.