The sportsbooks have spoken.
Undefeated middleweight sensation Khamzat Chimaev, who rocketed to the No. 3 spot at 185 pounds by destroying Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last weekend in Abu Dhabi, jumped out to an early betting favorite against current division titleholder Dricus Du Plessis.
“Borz” is also favored to whoop ex-champion Sean Strickland, according to BetOnline.
Khamzat Chimaev -200
Dricus du Plessis +170
Khamzat Chimaev -250
Sean Strickland +210
UFC has yet to determine if Du Plessis will face Chimaev or Strickland next.
“We always knew between Rob and Khamzat if there was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” Du Plessis told RadioRaps. “We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited, taking somebody’s 0. I’ve beaten Strickland before, and I know I’ll beat him again. Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited.”
Expect a decision on this matter within the next few weeks — if not sooner.