Dricus du Plessis most popular Khamzat Chimaev title combat for UFC 312

Dricus du Plessis has his sights set on Khamzat Chimaev, even when he’s already set to face off with one other rival.

This previous Saturday, the UFC introduced that du Plessis (22-2) is about to defend his middleweight title towards Sean Strickland (29-6) in the primary occasion of UFC 312, which takes place at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 8. It’s the second assembly between the 2, after du Plessis gained a break up resolution over Strickland this previous February at UFC 297 to say the belt.

On Tuesday, du Plessis took to social media to elucidate why he’s rematching Strickland versus the undefeated Chimaev (at present No. 2 at 185 kilos within the MMA Preventing World Rankings and No. 14 within the Pound-for-Pound Rankings).

“Only for clarification I most popular the Khamzat combat however the [Strickland] rematch is a combat most wished earlier than Khamzat vs Whittaker,” du Plessis wrote. “I’m not sad with the UFC’s resolution like I mentioned I’ll combat the person followers suppose is the following finest man he was promised the combat so Strickland it’s.”

Although du Plessis and Strickland fought to an in depth resolution of their first assembly, a right away rematch was not scheduled. Du Plessis went on to efficiently defend his title towards Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, whereas Strickland held on to his spot within the contender line with a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Following these wins, UFC CEO Dana White advised reporters the promotion was planning to match du Plessis and Strickland once more.

Chimaev seemingly threw a wrench in these plans with a surprising first-round submission of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October. The dominant efficiency had followers and fighters buzzing, with some calling for Chimaev to be granted the following middleweight title shot.

It’s not but recognized if Chimaev will face the winner of the UFC 312 essential occasion, or if he’ll look to combat once more to cement his No. 1 contender spot.

Du Plessis tweeted in regards to the Strickland rematch shortly after it was introduced, declaring, “This time they gained’t name it a theft, they’ll name it tried homicide.”