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

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

This previous Saturday, Chimaev scored essentially the most spectacular win of his profession, actually 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 discover of “Borz,” saying he desires to be the primary man to defeat him. And now the champ says he desires to do this subsequent.

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

“We all the time knew between Rob and Khamzat if there was going to be one thing distinctive that occurs, there could be a change within the title battle,” du Plessis mentioned. “We now have 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.”

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

However which 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 great query.” And for du Plessis that query boils right down to which battle is larger for the followers?

“I believe the entire world desires to see it,” du Plessis mentioned. “The followers in the end pay to observe the fights, so the battle the world thinks is the perfect subsequent battle, that’s what I need. So I believe 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 believe Khamzat ought to get the following shot.”