Dricus Du Plessis remains without a booked opponent following his July 2026 unanimous decision win over Kamaru Usman, leaving the middleweight landscape fluid as the division sorts its title picture. Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov are slated for the next championship bout, while Du Plessis has expressed readiness for an early 2027 return and openness to another title opportunity or high-stakes matchups against contenders like Brendan Allen, who has publicly accused him of previously opting for easier scheduling. Khamzat Chimaev’s status as champion and lingering rivalries add further variables, with traders viewing the field as evenly split amid unconfirmed reports, recent form, and potential rematches that could shift quickly based on official UFC announcements.