UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis watched on as his chances of a showdown with Alex Pereira appeared to slip away earlier this month.
Talk of a champ vs. champ clash between the pair dwindled when Pereira's light heavyweight reign came to an abrupt end at the hands of Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event.
The Dagestani made good on his promise to mark "Poatan's" toughest test to date, using his well-rounded arsenal to outpoint the Brazilian fan favorite across five rounds inside T-Mobile Arena.
Among those watching on was Du Plessis, who has long expressed his plans to eventually move up and challenge for two-division glory. Should that occur anytime soon, the South African will no longer be getting a high-profile money fight with arguably the UFC's top star.
During a video uploaded to Jackson O'Doherty's YouTube channel, Du Plessis can be seen reacting live as the UFC 313 main event unfolded.
And he (Pereira) wants to go down to middleweight?" Du Plessis said with a laugh while watching the fight. "Ankalaev fought a good game. Thanks Ankalaev for taking the biggest payday of my life.
Pereira, though, has plans to return to the 205-pound throne. The former middleweight and light heavyweight kingpin outlined his intention to seek immediate redemption opposite Ankalaev later this year, and UFC CEO Dana White was quick to green light a rematch.
Du Plessis, meanwhile, is expected to place his attention on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev next after already pushing past challenges from Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.