Dricus du Plessis most popular Khamzat Chimaev title struggle 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 determination over Strickland this previous February at UFC 297 to say the belt.

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

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

Although du Plessis and Strickland fought to a detailed determination of their first assembly, an instantaneous 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 instructed 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 subsequent middleweight title shot.

It’s not but identified if Chimaev will face the winner of the UFC 312 foremost occasion, or if he’ll look to struggle 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.”