Dricus du Plessis needs Khamzat Chimaev subsequent: ‘I feel the entire world needs to see it’

Dricus du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev needs to be his subsequent title protection.

This previous Saturday, Chimaev scored probably the most spectacular win of his profession, literally breaking former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker within the first spherical of their UFC 308 matchup. The efficiency was so spectacular that du Plessis, the present middleweight champion, stood up and took notice of “Borz,” saying he needs to be the primary man to defeat him. And now the champ says he needs to try this subsequent.

Talking with RadioRaps on Wednesday, du Plessis made the case for Chimaev as his subsequent title challenger, as a substitute of the presumed rematch with Sean Strickland that beforehand gave the impression to be in line.

“We at all times knew between Rob and Khamzat if there was going to be one thing distinctive that occurs, there is likely to be a change within the title battle,” du Plessis stated. “We’ve got no readability on that, however as a fan of the game and because the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a battle that will get me extra excited, taking any individual’s 0. I’ve crushed Strickland earlier than, and I do know I’ll beat him once more. Getting that Khamzat battle, that will get me excited.”

Du Plessis received the title from Strickland again in January, taking a contentious break up determination win at UFC 297. Since then, du Plessis defended his title with submission win over Israel Adesanya, whereas Strickland received a choice over Paulo Costa, main UFC CEO Dana White to say Strickland is subsequent in line for a title shot.

However that will have modified for White as nicely. In his UFC 308 post-fight press convention, White was much less dedicated to Strickland than he beforehand was, saying who will get the following crack at du Plessis is “a good question.” And for du Plessis that query boils all the way down to which battle is larger for the followers?

“I feel the entire world needs to see it,” du Plessis stated. “The followers in the end pay to look at the fights, so the battle the world thinks is one of the best subsequent battle, that’s what I need. So I feel the Khamzat battle is one hundred pc what I need. The UFC goes to do what they’re going to do, however from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I feel Khamzat ought to get the following shot.”