Sean Strickland or Nassourdine Imavov? Khamzat Chimaev’s Biggest Threat Revealed by Dricus Du Plessis

Former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis weighs in on the next potential challenger for current champion Khamzat Chimaev.

Sean Strickland or Nassourdine Imavov? Khamzat Chimaev’s Biggest Threat Revealed by Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis weighs on Khamzat Chimaev's next opponent (via UFC, MMA Fighting)

In Short
  • Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, controlling the fight with superior grappling.
  • Dricus Du Plessis believes Sean Strickland has a better chance against Chimaev than Nassourdine Imavov due to Strickland's resilience.
  • Chimaev is currently sidelined by a foot injury and Ramadan, delaying potential rematch plans.

Khamzat Chimaev is among the small group of fighters who have remained undefeated in MMA. His grappling and wrestling dominance have consistently overwhelmed opponents, putting him in a class of his own. This has raised questions about which 185-pound fighters can match his style. Former champion Dricus Du Plessis recently analyzed the division, highlighting contenders capable of challenging Chimaev.

Du Plessis entered the UFC 319 matchup against Chimaev in August 2025 as a dominant champion with two successful title defenses. ‘Borz,’ technically dismantled Du Plessis, controlling nearly 21 minutes of the fight. The Chechen star suffocated the former champion with relentless grappling and dominance. Since that bout, DDP has remained out of competition, leaving questions about a potential return.

Du Plessis has slowly returned to the public eye after stepping away to spend time with his family and focus on recovery. His break appears to have ended as he began commenting on the current landscape. He highlighted why contenders such as Sean Strickland have a stronger chance of defeating Chimaev. DDP contrasted this with #2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov, noting differences in style and resilience.

Strickland’s ability to get back up when he’s taken down… he does a very good job at that. Strickland is stronger than people think… I just believe he has this unique ability to make people fight his fight, and if you haven’t been in there with him, it’s really hard to figure him out in a short period of time.

Dricus Du Plessis via The Ariel Helwani Show

Nassourdine Imavov has cemented himself as a top contender in the 185-pound division with consistent performance. He is on a five-fight win streak, demonstrating skill and durability. Imavov gained recognition with a knockout of Israel Adesanya in February 2025. He reinforced his title case with a unanimous decision win over formerly undefeated Caio Borralho at UFC Paris in September 2025.

Strickland, on the other hand, has suffered two title-fight losses to Du Plessis and has remained out of title discussions. His status changed after UFC Houston, where he earned a TKO win over Anthony Hernandez, who was on an eight-fight win streak. The victory elevated Strickland into the middleweight spotlight. Following the win, he positioned himself as a potential challenger for Chimaev.

Having faced Strickland twice, Du Plessis’s comments carry significant weight in evaluating middleweight matchups. He has also pointed out that Imavov would struggle against Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling dominance. These observations emphasize the challenge posed by the undefeated Chechen star. While his future remains uncertain, DDP’s insights continue to shape discussions about the 185-pound division.

Dricus Du Plessis makes an interesting revelation regarding the Khamzat Chimaev bout at UFC 319

Khamzat Chimaev dominated UFC 319 against Dricus Du Plessis. He completed 12 of 17 takedowns and controlled roughly 21 minutes on top, repeatedly securing advantageous positions. Chimaev landed 529 total strikes compared to Du Plessis’ 45, and judges scored the fight 50‑44 across all scorecards. The performance highlighted his grappling superiority and reinforced his status as the division’s dominant force.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319
Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 (via The Sporting News)

Before UFC 319, Du Plessis was undefeated in the UFC with an 11‑fight win streak. He had defeated three former champions: Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. After losing to Chimaev, many ruled out his chances of overcoming the Chechen star. However, the South African middleweight has recently offered his assessment of the fight and how a potential rematch could unfold.

He wasn’t tougher than I expected him to be, I could see at the end of that fight, when we went to the final round, I was honestly thinking I’m [somehow going to win] this fight up until I heard that 10-second clapper and I knew it was over.But when I went out for that last round, I was 100 per cent certain that I’m either going to stop this guy or I’m going to knock him out. I know I can make that man quit. There’s not a man in life that can break my will. There’s not a man alive that can break me mentally. There’s no way.

Dricus Du Plessis via The Ariel Helwani Show

Since UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev has remained out of competition, sidelined by a recurring foot injury that requires surgery. His recovery timeline has been further extended due to the observance of the month of Ramadan. These factors have delayed any immediate plans for a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis or other top contenders.

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