Dorikas du Plessis sees no cause for Khamzat Chimaev to have an instantaneous rematch with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
The 185-pound candidate faces a problem in the meanwhile. At UFC 328, Strickland defeated Chimaev in a hard-fought choice to turn into champion for the second time, however Chimaev instantly appeared for an opportunity to make a comeback. Nevertheless, du Plessis has two wins over Strickland, so he ought to have some say within the matter. And Chimaev additionally received the title lower than a 12 months in the past, defeating Du Plessis by dominant choice. Then once more, there may be Nassourdin Imavov, the No. 1 candidate who has been patiently ready behind the scenes since September.
Du Plessis has extra urgent issues in the meanwhile as he faces former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the principle occasion of UFC Oklahoma Metropolis this Saturday, however he took time to share his ideas on the title image with Chimaev in an interview. submission radio.
“There isn’t any title protection between Sean and Khamzat,” Du Plessis mentioned. “I defended the title as soon as towards Strickland and twice towards (Israel) Adesanya. A Khamzat rematch could be ridiculous and pointless. In the event that they did it, I imply, it might be ridiculous. It might be loopy. Allow them to do what they need to do. I am simply going to battle. When my efficiency is over, I need my efficiency to talk for itself.”
“That is it. I haven’t got something to say proper now. I can not actually say something as a result of I misplaced the final match. I can not say an excessive amount of. … I will undoubtedly speak about it then. I will show as soon as once more why I am the perfect on the planet.”
Usman will probably be du Plessis’ first opponent since his disappointing loss to Chimaev in a title battle. Earlier than that setback, du Plessis was 9-0 within the UFC with notable wins over Strickland, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. He inched his means up the pound-for-pound charts till Chimaev stole his thunder.
So what are du Plessis’ priorities? Beating Strickland for the belt or getting revenge on Chimaev?
“Clearly Khamzat would be the precedence,” Du Plessis mentioned. “I would favor Khamzat, however what’s vital is to be the champion. I do not chase folks, I chase being the perfect. Khamzat, I will catch him. If he strikes up, I will finally get him there. I’d go, but when he turns into champion, I might like to battle him and get that win again. However it’s not like I am decided to say, ‘I hope he wins,’ however he does not need to have one other shot on the title.”
Du Plessis added that he intends to maneuver as much as gentle heavyweight sooner or later, becoming a member of latest middleweight transplants Whittaker and Paulo Costa (to not point out Alex Pereira, who received the middleweight title earlier than cementing himself as a light-weight heavyweight star). For now, he’s centered on defeating fellow former UFC champion Usman.
Du Plessis would have appreciated to have returned sooner in 2026, however he is simply comfortable to lastly be capable of stroll into the Octagon once more.
“That is sport,” Du Plessis mentioned. “It is a preventing sport. You get accidents. I imply, it isn’t enjoyable. I used to be supposed to come back again in April, however every part works out as standard. I actually needed to battle in April, however I could not. I obtained injured. The harm was slightly extra critical than I initially thought, so it took me a short time. However I have been coaching and I used to be prepared.”
“I do not consider in rings getting rusty from day one, particularly after a 12 months. I have been working. I have been working and I am simply excited. That is it. As a result of that is what I need to do. That is what I used to be born to do. To exit and be an excellent fighter. I really like this sport. However I really like that highlight.”
