Dricus du Plessis: 'I think Khamzat should get the next shot'

Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis was expected to rematch former champion Sean Strickland in his next title defense but that may no longer be the case.  

Undefeated Khamzat Chimaev made quick work of former champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event and could have sealed the deal to fight for the title next.  Leading up to the fight, both Chimaev and Whittaker believed they could leapfrog Strickland with an impressive performance.  Chimaev’s jaw breaking submission win over “The Reaper” certainly raised eyebrows including those of the champion.  

“We always knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” Du Plessis said in an interview with 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. I think the whole world, the fans want to see it. The fans ultimately pay to watch the fights. So, the fight the world thinks is the best next fight, that’s what I want. I think the Khamzat fight is 100 percent what I want. The UFC is going to do what they’re going to do, but from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I think Khamzat should get the next shot.”

Who do you think should get the next middleweight title shot?