Who’s next for champ Dricus Du Plessis after win?

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Sean Strickland after UFC 297 title loss?)

The UFC middleweight title as soon as once more modified palms Saturday when Dricus Du Plessis dethroned Sean Strickland within the UFC 297 fundamental occasion.

It was the fourth time previously 4 185-pound title bouts {that a} new champion has been topped. Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) narrowly edged Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) by split decision at Scotiabank Area in Toronto to grow to be the primary South African titleholder in firm historical past.

As massive because the second was for Du Plessis to place that belt round his waist for the primary time, what’s to return subsequent is perhaps larger. Du Plessis has a number of marquee opponent choices to kick off his reign, together with a Strickland rematch, a long-awaited bout with Israel Adesanya or undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev.

Which route ought to the promotion go? Watch the video above for ideas and evaluation on Du Plessis’ future after UFC 297.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 297.