Dricus du Plessis wants his middleweight belt back. He wants it from Sean Strickland. The Dricus du Plessis Sean Strickland trilogy is not officially booked yet. It is a request, not a confirmed fight, made after his dominant win over Kamaru Usman. Du Plessis already beats Strickland twice, and he wants a third shot once Strickland’s current commitments clear.
Why the Trilogy Talk Started Now
Du Plessis had not fought since August 2025. Khamzat Chimaev beat him for the middleweight title at UFC 319. That loss ended his reign after two title defenses.
He returned at UFC Oklahoma City this month. He faced Kamaru Usman, a former welterweight champion moving up in weight. Du Plessis won a clear unanimous decision. The judges scored it 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.
That win put him back in the title picture. Du Plessis is now the number two ranked middleweight. More importantly, he holds a 2-0 record against the current champion.
The Head-to-Head History Between Du Plessis and Strickland
Du Plessis beat Strickland twice already. Both wins came in title fights. Both wins matter for the current trilogy conversation.
The first meeting happened at UFC 297 in January 2024. Du Plessis won by split decision after five rounds. He became the first South African champion in UFC history that night. Strickland led on two scorecards through three rounds before du Plessis rallied.
The second meeting happened at UFC 312 in February 2025. Du Plessis won more clearly this time. He took a unanimous decision by scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. He broke Strickland’s nose in round four and controlled the pace from there.
What the Rematch Proved
The second fight answered a real question. Many fans thought the first result was close and controversial. Du Plessis removed that doubt in the rematch. He did not just win. He dominated across five rounds and left no argument for the judges.
Strickland’s Path Back to the Belt
Strickland is not sitting still. He won the middleweight title back in May 2026. He beat Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328. That win ended Chimaev’s short reign and returned the belt to Strickland.
Now Strickland has options. Chimaev wants an immediate rematch after his narrow loss. He argues he deserves another shot before anyone else gets in line. That claim has weight, since the fight was close on the cards.
Du Plessis does not want the immediate rematch slot. He publicly told Strickland to fight Nassourdine Imavov instead. Imavov sits at number three in the rankings. He has won five straight fights, including wins over Caio Borralho, Israel Adesanya, and Brendan Allen.
Why Du Plessis Is Pushing Imavov Over Himself
This is the detail most coverage misses. Du Plessis is not dodging Strickland. He is asking for a title eliminator instead of jumping the line himself.
He said Imavov earned a shot with his win streak. He also said he would rather return the belt to South Africa after Strickland defends it again. That statement shows confidence, not hesitation. Du Plessis believes the trilogy happens no matter what Strickland does next.
This approach also protects du Plessis from criticism. Fighters who skip contenders often face backlash from fans and media. By naming Imavov as the next opponent, du Plessis positions himself as patient rather than entitled.
The Business Case for a Trilogy Fight
Three fights between the same two men rarely happen at 185 pounds. Du Plessis and Strickland have already fought twice in major pay-per-view main events. A third fight carries built-in interest.
Their rivalry has real history outside the cage too. The two fighters brawled in the crowd at UFC 296, months before their first meeting. Strickland was escorted out of the arena that night. That incident added genuine heat to a rivalry that needed none.
A trilogy also settles a real sporting question. Du Plessis leads 2-0, but neither man has finished the other. Both fights went to decision. A finish in either direction would end debate about who the better fighter truly is.
What Stands in the Way
Timing is the biggest obstacle. Strickland just won the belt back in May. He will not fight again immediately. A title defense typically takes several months to book and promote.
Chimaev’s rematch claim adds another layer. He lost by split decision, which is close enough to justify an immediate rematch under normal UFC logic. If Strickland faces Chimaev next, du Plessis waits longer for his shot.
Imavov also has a case that stands on its own. He has beaten three ranked contenders in a row. UFC matchmakers may see him as the more deserving next challenger regardless of what du Plessis prefers.
The Realistic Timeline
Expect Strickland’s next title defense announcement within the next few months. Du Plessis will likely fight once more before a trilogy is booked. That keeps him active and protects his ranking spot.
What This Means for Middleweight Right Now
The middleweight division has three fighters at the top with real claims to a title shot. Strickland holds the belt. Chimaev wants a rematch he nearly won. Du Plessis has beaten the champion twice already.
This creates a rare situation. Normally, one clear contender waits for a title shot. Here, three names compete for the same spot, and each has a legitimate argument.
Du Plessis benefits most from patience. His public call for Strickland to fight Imavov buys him time to stay sharp. It also builds anticipation for a fight that already carries history and stakes.
Final Thoughts
Dricus du Plessis leads Sean Strickland 2-0 in one of the sport’s most personal rivalries. Du Plessis just proved he belongs at the top again with a dominant win over Kamaru Usman. Strickland just won the belt back from Khamzat Chimaev in May.
A third fight between them makes sense on paper and at the box office. It will not happen immediately. Strickland has other claims to consider first, especially from Chimaev and Imavov.
The Dricus du Plessis Sean Strickland trilogy is not a question of if. It is a question of when. Fans should expect Strickland to fight once more before that trilogy gets booked, with du Plessis likely staying active in the meantime.
For now, du Plessis holds the psychological edge and the patience card. That combination makes him the biggest threat waiting at 185 pounds, no matter who Strickland fights next.
