{"id":23956,"date":"2024-12-10T15:45:43","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=23956"},"modified":"2024-12-10T15:45:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:45:43","slug":"drucis-du-plessis-prefers-chimaev-fight-ufc-312","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/drucis-du-plessis-prefers-chimaev-fight-ufc-312\/","title":{"rendered":"Dricus Du Plessis Admits He’d Have Preferred Khamzat Chimaev Title Fight At UFC 312 Instead Of Sean Strickland Rematch"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC middleweight king Dricus du Plessis has admitted that he would have preferred to fight Khamzat Chimaev in UFC 312 main event, rather than Sean Strickland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dricus Du Plessis Wanted Khamzat Chimaev Title Fight At UFC 312 Over Sean Strickland Rematch<\/h2>\n

It was confirmed over the weekend that Dricus Du Plessis’ next fight<\/a> will see him defend his UFC Middleweight Title in a rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312.<\/p>\n

The bout is set to headline UFC<\/a> 312 in Australia on February 9, with the South African looking to make a successful second defence of his 185-poun crown. ‘Stillknocks’ of course won the belt two fights again, when he defeated Strickland via split decision at UFC 297.<\/p>\n

Now, the rematch has been confirmed as Dana White<\/a> heads down under for UFC 312 early in 2025. Although the Strickland rematch has only just been confirmed, it is evident that du Plessis has his sights firmly set on Khamzat Chimaev<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chimaev is almost definitely next in line for a shot at middleweight gold after Strickland. ‘Borz’ defeated Robert Whittaker<\/a> in Round 1 of his last fight at UFC 308, throwing his name into the hat for a 185-pound title shot next.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, Dricus du Plessis has admitted that he would have preferred to fight Khamzat Chimaev<\/a> at UFC 312 instead of Sean Strickland again. The South African took to Twitter (X), clarifying that Strickland is indeed his next opponent, but that if it was his decision he’d have opted for the Chimaev fight.<\/p>\n

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Just for clarification I preferred the Khamzat fight but the rematch is a fight most wanted before Khamzat vs Withaker. I\u2019m not unhappy with the UFC\u2019s decision like I said I\u2019ll fight the man fans think is the next best guy he was promised the fight so Strickland it is.<\/p>\n

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) December 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n