Headlining $7.7 million card, Dricus Du Plessis mocks Sean Strickland vs Israel Adesanya

After UFC 312 PPV, Dricus Du Plessis says Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya rematch should be next, away from a shot at undisputed gold.

Headlining $7.7 million card, Dricus Du Plessis mocks Sean Strickland vs Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis says Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya should be next, away from title crack (Source: X/IMAGO)

Dricus Du Plessis achieved a second consecutive title defense of the 185-pound title gold after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 312. Not too long ago, DDP submitted Israel Adesanya for his first title defense. Now Adesanya is in a tough spot. ‘The Last Stylebender’ to the surging Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. DDP offered to give a solution on what to do with Adesanya and Strickland moving forward.

The KO loss at UFC Saudi Arabia was preceded by a submission loss to DDP for Adesanya, and a massive upset at UFC 293 to Strickland. The former middleweight champion is well away from title fights and enters the Fight Night grind almost after six years, where he shall remain for a while at least. Now that Strickland has lost out too, DDP presented they should have a Fight Night headliner scrap.

I know what’s going to happen next. I can almost guarantee you what’s happening next… Is there any bets that he’s fighting out of Adesanya next?… I think the Adesanya rematch will be amazing. Yeah, that’s what’s going to happen…Yeah, there’s going to be a, …there’s going to be a [chuckles] …a fight night main event. I know it.

Dricus Du Plessis during UFC 312 PPV post-fight conference backstage fighter interviews
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Boast much, “Stillknocks”? Is he hinting at not giving them chances anymore? Strickland is 1-2 since winning the UFC middleweight gold in 2023. Both of his losses are against Du Plessis. Sean Strickland felt “robbed” when Du Plessis got a split decision win at UFC 297. This time at UFC 312, it was sure lopsided domination.

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A stagnant “Tarzan” hung around and jabbed his way to a UD loss. Moreover, DDP leads the charge on the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $254,500. The announced public gate totaled $7,687,317 for the second PPV, and he was part of it. He drew blood and safeguarded the gold; no wonder he’d give in to the pomp of it. Off goes Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya to fight nights!

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Dricus Du Plessis in no hurry to fight Alex Pereira as he wants Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 312

Dricus Du Plessis wants a champion vs. champion super fight against Alex Pereira after UFC 312. The current UFC 205-pound king was once a middleweight champ. Even recently, Pereira touted that he can drop down and face DDP. The South African agrees to rather do it at 205. However, he has some things to take care of.

Dricus Du Plessis has work left after UFC 312
Dricus Du Plessis has work left after UFC 312 (Source: X)

Khamzat Chimaev is a reckoning at middleweight and the current top seed for 185-pound gold. “Borz” recently destroyed longstay Robert Whittaker via submission that broke through the lower digits. After UFC 308, he again has the promise for gold as top contender. Du Plessis, who was already willing to fight him first, is ready to get back to it.

I have the world of respect for Alex Pereira. I think he’s the world’s pound-for-pound best, …I have the most respect for what he’s done in such a short period of time in the UFC…So yes, I want to share the octagon with that man. I want to beat that guy. I’ve beaten Adesanya, who’s beaten him. I know I can beat him at 205, 100 percent. But Khamzat is next. Khamzat is next.

Dricus Du Plessis further during UFC 312 PPV post-fight conference backstage fighter interviews
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Chimaev remains undefeated in his MMA career. Many consider him the undisputed champion in waiting at 185 pounds. DDP has made a clear case to move on to better hydration at 205. But he does not want there to be any doubt that he’ll be this era’s middleweight GOAT. Hence, DDP wants to clear out the Chechen wolf first, and then thin the herd at 205.

Related: UFC Fight Night shows will become PPV level events, but only outside the United States