“Du Plessis is going to get forgotten,” Chael Sonnen predicts Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa clash could crush ‘Real African’ fight

UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes that a lot will change in the middleweight division in the aftermath of UFC 293.

“Du Plessis is going to get forgotten,” Chael Sonnen predicts Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa clash could crush ‘Real African’ fight

Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev (via Imago)

UFC legend Chael Sonnen has spoken his thoughts on the middleweight roster after Sean Strickland’s UFC 293 win. Sonnen believes that there will be a lot of changes in the dynamics of the middleweight division following the event. He feels that Strickland’s victory will change a lot of things for other contenders who are aiming for a shot at the belt.

Sonnen in an interview with Ariel Helwani, said, “Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa becomes the no.1 contender’s match. It wasn’t originally planned. […] But now as you’ve got a new champion at the top, Strickland vs. Paulo Costa works all day long, and Strickland vs. Chimaev works all day long. That’s gonna be a no.1 contender’s match and (Dricus)Du Plessis is gonna get forgotten.”

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A lot of Sonnen’s views can turn out to be true following the aftermath of UFC 293. The middleweight division is stacked and no one is currently holding the power to call shots for the belt. The most entertaining fights get watched and a challenger rises from such events. Dricus Du Plessis, after his Robert Whittaker win, was arguably the most sensible choice for Strickland’s next fight. But with Chimaev vs. Costa on the cards, it’s hard to ignore the winner of this matchup.

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Chimaev vs. Costa is going to take place at UFC 294. Further, the fight will reportedly take place as a co-main event under the Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira fight. Chimaev and Costa are both coming off victories against their respective opponents. These aspects make this matchup one of the most interesting fights on the card.

Related: Sean Strickland’s wife: Who is ‘Tarzan’ married to?

Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira played a huge factor in Sean Strickland’s win

chael sonnen and sean strickland
Chael Sonnen and Sean Strickland (Image courtesy: MMA News)

UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes that the credit for Sean Strickland’s win at UFC 293 should go to one of his previous opponents, Alex Pereira. Strickland’s stunning victory shook the world of MMA, as no one expected the underdog to win. A dominant victory that resulted in a unanimous decision by the judges has left everyone surprised.

However, UFC legend Chael Sonnen wants to give credit to Strickland’s previous opponent, Alex Pereira. Before becoming a champion and beating Abus Magomedov, Strickland faced a brutal knockout loss against Pereira. Further, Sonnen believes that this ‘a**-kicking’ helped Strickland become the fighter fans saw at the event.

The 46-year-old states that the changes made by Sean Strickland after the Alex Pereira loss have made him a brand new fighter. Sonnen had nothing but praise for Strickland after his win. In the past, he had created many such moments in the middleweight division. The Bad Guy was one of the most dominant fighters back in the day.

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