October 30, 2024 10:30 am ET
Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has diverted his consideration to Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 308.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was anticipating to run issues again with Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) for his subsequent title protection. However after Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran by former champ Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main occasion, Du Plessis now has a brand new goal.
“We all the time knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be one thing distinctive that occurs, there could be a change within the title battle,” Du Plessis instructed Radioraps. “We have now 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 person’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. I believe the entire world, the followers need to see it. The followers in the end pay to look at the fights. So, the battle the world thinks is the very best subsequent battle, that’s what I would like. I believe the Khamzat battle is one hundred pc what I would like. The UFC goes to do what they’re going to do, however from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I believe Khamzat ought to get the following shot.”
Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, echoed that sentiment on Instagram. “3 athletes that began their UFC careers across the similar time @tomaspinallofficial @dricusduplessis @iliatopuria 3 world champions, that can keep champions for a extremely very long time!
Large congrats to @iliatopuria on an exceptional efficiency.
We would like Khamzat subsequent in February. For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 308.
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