UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis' coach Morne Visser said his charge is highly likely to make his next title defense in February.
"We've been talking to our manager, he's been talking to the UFC. The only thing we can be sure of now is that we should be ready to fight in Sydney in February.
Strickland has one win since Dricus, over Costa. Whittaker has two wins. As far as I'm concerned, Whittaker will be next in line in February," Visser said in an interview with YouTube channel Submission Radio.
Du Plessis last fought in August at UFC 305, defeating Israel Adesanya by choke.