Key Takeaways
- Dricus du Plessis believes an immediate rematch between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev is unwarranted and “ridiculous.”
- He holds two victories over Strickland (including a title defense) and feels his record should give him influence in the middle‑weight title picture.
- Although Chimaev defeated du Plessis less than a year ago, du Plessis says he is not chasing any specific opponent; his goal is to be recognized as the best fighter in the world.
- Du Plessis’ next bout is a main‑event showdown against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City.
- Prior to his loss to Chimaev, du Plessis was on a nine‑fight UFC winning streak, with notable wins over Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker.
- He remains open to moving up to light heavyweight in the future, following the path of fighters like Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Alex Pereira.
- Du Plessis attributes his delayed return to injury, dismisses concerns about “ring rust,” and says he is excited to fight again and prove himself.
Dricus du Plessis has been vocal about the current state of the UFC middle‑weight division, especially regarding the possibility of an immediate rematch between champion Sean Strickland and former title challenger Khamzat Chimaev. After Strickland secured a hard‑fought decision win over Chimaev at UFC 328 to reclaim the belt, Chimaev instantly called for a rematch. Du Plessis, however, sees little merit in granting that request. He points out that he has already defended the title twice—once against Strickland and once against Israel Adesanya—while Chimaev has yet to earn another shot at the belt. In du Plessis’ view, a Strickland‑Chimaev rematch would be “ridiculous” and makes no sense given the existing title defenses and his own résumé.
Du Plessis’ own record adds weight to his argument. Before his loss to Chimaev, he was on a nine‑fight UFC winning streak, highlighted by victories over Strickland, Adesanya, and former champion Robert Whittaker. Those wins positioned him as a rising star in the pound‑for‑pound conversation. The defeat to Chimaev halted that momentum, but du Plessis insists that his past performances should still factor into any title‑contention discussions. He maintains that he has already proven himself against the current champion and therefore should have a say in who gets the next opportunity.
Despite his frustration with the Chimaev‑Strickland scenario, du Plessis is careful not to appear as if he’s chasing any particular rival. When asked whether he prefers a bout with Strickland for the belt or revenge against Chimaev, he replied that winning the championship is his primary aim. “I’m not chasing people, I’m chasing being the best,” he said, adding that while he would like to avenge his loss to Chimaev, he is not fixated on it. He believes that if he continues to perform at a high level, the right opportunities—whether a title rematch with Strickland or a future showdown with Chimaev—will present themselves.
Du Plessis’ immediate focus, however, is on his upcoming fight against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, scheduled as the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. This bout marks his first appearance since the loss to Chimaev and represents a chance to get back on track. He acknowledges that injuries delayed his return—originally aiming for an April 2026 comeback, he was sidelined by a more serious issue than initially thought—but he insists that the time away has not led to “ring rust.” Du Plessis says he has been training consistently and feels ready to compete, emphasizing his love for the sport and the excitement of stepping back into the octagon.
Looking ahead, du Plessis remains open to moving up to the light‑heavyweight division. He notes that several of his middle‑weight peers—Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and former middle‑weight champion Alex Pereira—have successfully transitioned to 205 pounds, and he sees a similar path for himself. For now, though, his priority is to defeat Usman, re‑establish his winning trajectory, and let his performances dictate his future in the UFC. He remains confident that, irrespective of the current title picture, his skill set and determination will eventually place him back at the top of the sport.