Dricus du Plessis really, really wants to fight undefeated middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis didn’t hesitate to sign the dotted line for his UFC 312 rematch with Sean Strickland. But as negotiations progressed for his next fight after defeating Israel Adesanya, du Plessis hoped the matchmakers would give Khamzat Chimaev the title shot instead of running it back with his former rival.
Chimaev is likely next for the du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 winner after UFC 312 this weekend, barring some unforeseen circumstances. The undefeated mauler made a massive statement in his most recent fight against former titleholder Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, as Chimaev submitted Whittaker and gave the former champion a nasty mouth injury.
After Chimaev’s win at UFC 308, some believed he did enough to skip the line and overtake Strickland for the next middleweight title shot. If du Plessis had his way, it would’ve been Chimaev instead of Strickland opposite him in the UFC 312 main event.
Dricus du Plessis lauds Khamzat Chimaev ahead of potential future title fight
In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, du Plessis revealed what went through his mind as the UFC matchmakers plotted his next middleweight title defense.
“Concerned? Absolutely not, I was hoping and praying [though],” du Plessis said. “I looked at him and went, huh, I know they’ve wanted Khamzat to be their guy for so long, he just hasn’t been able to. Now Khamzat is such an incredible fighter, he just hasn’t been able to constantly get to fights. Whatever the case may be, however long he’s been the guy and just being able to make that leap…
“Khamzat has a massive following, the hype is there. Deserving, Khamzat is a special fighter. And I believe that once he fights me, that’s when people will see how special I am. And I was looking forward to having that fight, I wanted it so bad.”
If du Plessis gets the better of Strickland in their rematch this weekend, the Chimaev matchup would likely be the next middleweight title fight. But Nassourdine Imavov, who defeated Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this month, is also firmly in the mix at 185lbs.
Dricus du Plessis has Alex Pereira, Khamzat Chimaev on his radar after UFC 312
Du Plessis has also teased a potential future move to light heavyweight to challenge Alex Pereira‘s 205lb title. Pereira will face Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event next month, and with a victory, the Brazilian would clear out most of the top light heavyweight contenders.
Du Plessis and Pereira have teased a future fight against each other since the two stars became UFC world champions. Ahead of UFC 312, Strickland claimed Pereira ‘hates’ du Plessis, adding more headlines to a potential booking.
As a new era in the UFC middleweight division progresses, du Plessis and Chimaev will inevitably clash inside the Octagon. But first thing’s first for the South African as he looks to fend off another former champion during his young title reign.