MMA news: ‘He deserves a hiding!’ - Dricus Du Plessis wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev next
Dricus Du Plessis solidified his status as the UFC middleweight king with a dominant five-round victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 312.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher breaks down Du Plessis’ next move as he sets his sights on a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis eyes Chimaev after statement win
Du Plessis removed all doubt and conclusively ended his rivalry with Strickland at UFC 312 as he outstruck Strickland for 25 minutes.
Du Plessis won all five rounds on two of the three judges' scorecards.
He only lost one round on the third judge’s card as the South African made the second defence of his middleweight title.
Despite not getting the finish he craved, Du Plessis was happy with the dominant nature of his performance.
Speaking at the UFC 312 Post-Fight Press Conference, Du Plessis said:
“To go out there and beat him at his own game was a big priority… I told you guys [the media] the whole week, I’m going to try and knock him out, try and submit him or if this goes to a decision, complete domination - and that’s what happened.
“I thought he was going to initiate the wrestling earlier. He tried at some stage but it was too late. I felt great out there tonight.
“To show progression, that was the biggest thing, to show that I can submit the best in the world, a guy that’s never been submitted [Israel Adesanya].
“I can go out there and knock people out and I can go out there and outpoint a guy that outpoints anybody (Strickland) and do it over five rounds,” Du Plessis concluded.
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Du Plessis wants Chimaev next
Despite calling out light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his Octagon interview after the fight, Du Plessis insisted that he does eventually want to move up to 205 pounds.
Still, he will only do so after cementing his place as the GOAT of the middleweight division.
“Khamzat’s [Chimaev] next. I want to make sure that this belt, the middleweight title there’s no question that I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division.
“I know that you have Anderson Silva - in my mind, he is the GOAT of this division.
“You have Adesanya who’s done incredible things but it’s not just about how many times you defend.
“It’s about who you fight, how you defend it and in what period of time have you done it and making sure that there’s no question that I am the best middleweight then going up.
“I’m not rushing that my next fight is Alex Periera, no, I want Khamzat next I think he deserves a hiding!” Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis’ physicality paired with his relentless fight style would present Chimaev with the toughest test of his career so far, particularly if the fight goes past the first two rounds.
The matchup would be one of the best fights the UFC could put together in 2025 as Du Plessis could cement his legacy even further with a win over one of the most hyped-up prospects in recent memory.
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