Chimaev was the fight Du Plessis wanted, but he ended up with Strickland. Here’s why.
Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Australia on February 8th. It’s not the fight the champ wanted, but it’s the fight he got, and he’s ready to go ahead with the rematch.
In a new interview with FOX Sports Australia, Du Plessis explained why he’s fighting Strickland and not Khamzat Chimaev, who destroyed Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
“The Khamzat fight would have been a lot bigger in my opinion, and more exciting,” the South African champion said. “I haven’t done it before. I haven’t seen it before. He’s unbeaten. But Strickland is an absolute beast, in the octagon. So, this fight’s gonna be a banger again, and I can’t wait.”
As for whether the UFC talked to him about fighting Khamzat Chimaev instead?
“It was on the tables, for sure. We talked about it,” Du Plessis said. “But it wasn’t from my side where the fight didn’t happen. I think there was some issues with the UFC and Khamzat. I’m not sure. And timing. I think timing also played a big role. But there were conversations, and I said that’s the fight that I want, so let’s do it. And they couldn’t make it happen. So Strickland is the fight they did.”
The worst secret in MMA is how Khamzat Chimaev can’t travel freely due to U.S. sanctions against him over his relationship with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. That’s the kind of thing that could keep a man out of Australia as well, and Du Plessis implied he’d be surprised to see “Borz” cageside in Sydney.
“Rumor has it that Khamzat will be in attendance for the fight against Strickland now on February 8th,” he said. “I don’t know how true that is, but if that’s the case, I guess that’s gonna be the next fight. I’m gonna beat Sean Strickland, and then Khamzat will be next.”
Chimaev’s travel issues could soon be over with Donald Trump’s return as president in 2025. The UFC had a dedicated contact inside the State Department to help with visa issues during Trump’s first term, and we expect a similar arrangement when he returns.