“He’s The Best Right Now!” Dricus Du Plessis Snubs Backup Fighter Nassourdine Imavov For Fiery Khamzat Chimaev War

Dricus Du Plessis has made it clear he will not fight Nassourdine Imavov if Khamzat Chimaev withdraws from UFC 319 PPV last minute.

“He’s The Best Right Now!” Dricus Du Plessis Snubs Backup Fighter Nassourdine Imavov For Fiery Khamzat Chimaev War

Dricus Du Plessis prefers Khamzat Chimaev than Nassourdine Imavov fot UFC 319 (Source: X/IMAGO)

A fiery skills test is about to go down at the August 16th PPV main event at the United Center in Chicago. At UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis meets the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev to defend his 185-pound gold. Chimaev, although one of the most interesting fight options right now, has a history of camp sickness. Enter PPV backup fighter Nassourdine Imavov.

During the UFC Saudi Arabia main event, Nassourdine Imavov knocked out former champ Israel Adesanya in a stunning fashion. It cemented his backup spot against “Stillknocks”, who won his first title defense against Adesanya. However, Dricus Du Plessis is glued to the prize fight – Khamzat Chimaev, given he has had the backing from UFC execs thrice to be a 185-pound top contender.

To be honest, if he [Chimaev] pulls out of this fight early I will not fight Imavov… I want to fight Khamzat, …If I’m already there — you know two weeks — I will fight Imavov if he pulls out. But if he pulls out on four weeks I’m not going to fight. I will wait for him to be ready. I want to beat him because he’s the best right now.

Dricus Du Plessis to RMC Sport Combat (🎥: @RMCSportCombat)

Still undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most dangerous fighters present today. Look to his submission win over perennial middleweight Robert Whittaker as the prime example of the threat that he brings into the octagon.

UFC 319 would also mark the first time in a while that “Borz” would be on US soil since his submission win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279. So, the excitement is through the roof on this one. However, it is also true that the UFC brass is well aware of his camp’s inconsistencies.

Chimaev has had multiple withdrawals and failed bouts due to camp troubles and overexertion. His unsaid pivotal, top-seed 185-pound scrap with Whittaker was to be for UFC on ABC 6, but he fell mysteriously ill, and it was postponed to October. Dricus Du Plessis himself has often poked the Chechen fighter on his ability to make weight and turn up for fights.

However, since his UFC 312 PPV title defense, DDP has been sitting ready for this. Chimaev is the best stylistic challenge for him, given he has already defeated the 3 former divisional champs. So if the Chechen is nowhere and it’s not bordering on to fight week, the South African star would rather wait it out. Imavov, though, has other plans.

Nassourdine Imavov not playing around, issues stern warning on banking for gold vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Chimaev’s shortcomings and lack of immunity outside the Octagon are well known to UFC officials, and the official backup fighter for UFC 319 has already been booked: streaking French contender Nassourdine Imavov. Dricus Du Plessis even joked around that he would be matching “Sniper” in August, given Khamzat Chimaev’s long streak of pullouts.

Nassourdine Imavov shuts up Dricus Du Plessis with scathing reply
Nassourdine Imavov shuts up Dricus Du Plessis with scathing reply (Source: X)

The streaking French 185-pounder for Team Kill Cliff FC is on the trail of a four-fight win and fresh off a high-profile knockout. Hence, he was quick to respond to the champ, stating that he does not have the hold or allure of Jon Jones to stall it out. If UFC execs came knocking, Dricus Du Plessis vs. Imavov it is.

Thanks for the compliments @dricusduplessis but you’re not Jon Jones, if something happens, you’re not going to block anything, if you’re not ready to defend leave the place.

Nassourdine Imavov via X (@imavov1)

It’s a ‘sack up or pack up’ kind of situation, given how one division is already logjammed to the top, while two others are convoluted. But none of that would matter if Khamzat Chimaev can stay healthy in camp and turn up for his next UFC PPV offering in just two months.

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