Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has revealed that he’s not ruling out the possibility that his next fight could be for the title.

The 32-year-old du Plessis successfully defended the belt twice before losing it to Khamzat Chimaev last year, but after picking up a decision win over Kamaru Usman in July he feels he remains in the mix for title contention.

“After the last fight, I just prove again that I can be the best in the world and that I will be the best in the world,” du Plessis told Fight Forecast. “Where we are at right now is continuing building on those blocks that we built before that fight. Looking at what’s next, I mean, time waits for no one.

“Right now, they’re obviously going to do Strickland and [Nassourdine Imavov]. I think the middleweight division is in a bit of a, it’s a weird situation because who gets the next title shot? And I’m 100% ready for that.”

Things certainly are a bit unclear at the top end of the division at this stage, especially with current champion Strickland having stated this week that he’s losing interest in competing due to being unhappy with what he’s getting paid, while also dealing with injury issues.

And with Khamzat Chimaev also eager to get back to the title, du Plessis is keeping an open mind and waiting to see what happens next.

“I had an injury. I was out for a while, but I told them I would be ready to fight early next year. It’s interesting because I don’t know what they’re going to do. Who are they going to make me fight? They’re not going to make me fight backwards. And right now we have Strickland, Imavov, Khamzat and myself. So, It’s going to be interesting,” continued the South African.

“You’re as good as your last fight. Obviously I last a bout. I was off 11 months working on everything to be the best in the world again. I have no doubt that I will be champion again.”