UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis looks set for a rematch with Sean Strickland next, but he’s admitted that he’d rather go up against Khamzat Chimaev instead after seeing him run through Robert Whittaker in less than a round at UFC 308.
“As a fan of the sport and the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited, taking someone’s 0, I’ve beaten Strickland before and I know I’ll beat him again,” du Plessis said during an interview with Radioraps.
“Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited, I think the whole world, the fans want to see it and the fans ultimately pay to watch the fights so the fight the world thinks is the next best fight is what I want so yeah, the Khamzat fight is 100% what I want and the UFC is gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
Meanwhile, Strickland has spoken out to make it clear to Chimaev that there’s no chance he will step ahead of him in the pecking order to get the next shot at the title.
“Understand one thing… I am next in line… It’s been said, it’s been written… January/February me and Dricus Du Plessis are scrapping,” Strickland said on X. “Go back to Chechnya and wait a few months… wait, sorry UAE… You’re not allowed in Chechnya… But hey, Crypto scams while you wait,” Strickland said on X.
Dana White had confirmed a few weeks ago that Strickland was next for the title shot, though after witnessing Khamzat back to his dominant best at the weekend you do have to wonder if he’s now having second thoughts.
