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The Real Reason Behind the UFC's Scrapped Light Heavyweight Tournament

The Ultimate Fighting Championship recently pitched a four-man, single-night tournament at 205 pounds to determine the next challenger for light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg. Matchmakers hoped to pair Dricus du Plessis, Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Navajo Stirling in a throwback grand prix format, but the idea was ultimately scrapped.

Dricus du Plessis and his head coach, Morne Visser, declined the offer because the South African fighter wants to focus on reclaiming and defending his middleweight title first. Visser noted that building the right power and athletic conditioning for the heavier division requires a careful, gradual timeline, though a future move to light heavyweight remains entirely part of their long-term plans.

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