by UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis wants to face undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev next instead of Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis (22-2) won the UFC’s 185-pound championship with a split decision win over Strickland in January and has since defended it against former champion Israel Adesanya. Earlier this year, UFC CEO Dana White said that Du Plessis’ next defense would be a rematch against Strickland, but after Chimaev’s impressive first-round win over Robert Whittaker last weekend, Du Plessis wants that fight.
“The conversations [have been] more about my fight against Strickland,” Du Plessis told ESPN. “But there was a very important reason why no contracts were signed and I say that as an opinion. “I have agreed that I will fight Strickland, perfect – and that is the fight the fans want. But if you keep going the way the fans want right now, it’s definitely not the Strickland fight.
“If you ask what I want, I want to fight the best. I want to fight the guy the fans expect me to be. And that is 100 percent Khamzat.”
South Africa’s Du Plessis said he would be willing to travel anywhere in the world to face Chimaev. Chimaev is a Russian citizen and has lived in and outside Russia, Sweden and Dubai. Since 2022, he has not fought in the United States or anywhere other than Abu Dhabi.
Strickland, who says he believes he was robbed on the judges’ scorecards against Du Plessis when they met in January, has already publicly stated that he expects the next shot as promised.
“Get this… I’m next in line…” Strickland wrote on X last Saturday. “It’s been said, it’s been written… January/February me and @dricusduplessis are fighting.”
If Chimaev (14-0) gets a shot at the title, he could be favored over any middleweight in the UFC, including Du Plessis. Chimaev dominated Whittaker at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, submitting him via face crumble less than four minutes into the contest. Du Plessis acknowledged the dangers of Chimaev’s strength and grappling, but expressed confidence heading into the fight.
“You know, when it comes to strength, there is no doubt in my mind that I am stronger,” Du Plessis said. “Khamzat is a strong guy, but I don’t think – no, I know for sure – that he has never felt such power. When it comes to his wrestling, that’s obviously his strength and where he likes to go.” The fight, and I would welcome that if I had to fight him. Let’s meet strengths and see who can survive.[I’mstronger}”DuPlessissaid”KhamzatisastrongguybutIdon’tthink–noIknowforafact–thathe’sneverfeltpowerlikethisWhenitcomestohiswrestlingobviouslythat’shisstrongsuitandwherehelikestotakethefightandIwouldwelcomethatifIhadtofighthimLet’smeetstrengthsandseewhocanlast”[I’mstronger}”DuPlessissaid”KhamzatisastrongguybutIdon’tthink–noIknowforafact–thathe’sneverfeltpowerlikethisWhenitcomestohiswrestlingobviouslythat’shisstrongsuitandwherehelikestotakethefightandIwouldwelcomethatifIhadtofighthimLet’smeetstrengthsandseewhocanlast”
