Du Plessis coach Visser eyes February or March return and Imavov title fight

Dricus du Plessis' camp has put a window and an opponent on his comeback. His coach, Morne Visser, says the South African could fight in late February or March 2027 and wants Nassourdine Imavov, with the middleweight title on the line. Nothing has been announced.

Visser's comments were reported by MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. "We are ready to fight in late February or March, at 185 pounds," he said, in a translated quote. It is a coach's preference, not a booking, and the UFC has not responded in the material available.

The Imavov pairing would be a rematch. The Frenchman won their first meeting by third-round TKO, so Du Plessis would be chasing a result he has already lost, rather than a fresh challenge. That history gives the request some weight, but it also gives Imavov a reason to want the fight on his own terms.

Du Plessis last fought in July, when he beat Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision. That win followed his loss of the middleweight belt to Khamzat Chimaev by unanimous decision in 2025. Du Plessis is 32 and has spent his UFC career at middleweight, which fits Visser's insistence on 185 pounds.

The picture at the top of the division is already crowded. Chimaev, who beat Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 on Oct. 27, is booked against Colby Covington on Nov. 14 at RAF Abu Dhabi. Separately, Strickland vs. Imavov is reportedly planned for February in Florida, though nothing is announced. If that fight happens, Imavov would not be available for the window Visser describes.

Du Plessis has also turned away another route. He reportedly declined an offer to join a four-man light heavyweight tournament with Magomed Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka and Navajo Stirling. On a podcast he said, in translation: "I will fight for the belt." Watch for whether the promotion confirms any opponent, and what happens with Imavov's February plans.