“That makes absolutely no sense!” Dricus du Plessis SLAMS Khamzat Chimaev for demanding middleweight title shot after close-win against Kamaru Usman

Dricus Du Plessis is all set to challenge Sean Strickland for the middleweight title at UFC 297. With added animosity between them due to the insults thrown and the public brawl, this became one of the most anticipated fights. Now, Du Plessis looked forward to winning the fight and claiming the UFC title. As such, he looked ahead and answered the question, was Khamzat Chimaev next in line?

The UFC promised Khamzat Chimaev a title shot if he won against Kamaru Usman in UFC 294. As such, he managed to win despite it being a close fight. Now, title challenger Dricus Du Plessis looked at Chimaev’s win and stated he didn’t deserve a title shot. Here is what he said:

As far as I know, Khamzat's a welterweight. What middleweight did he fight? He fought at middleweight, but he fought a welterweight. In my opinion, that makes absolutely no sense. The UFC promised him a title fight? Where in the world does that happen?

Dricus Du Plessis via MMA Junkie

Further, ‘Stillknocks’ stated Israel Adesanya deserved to challenge for the title more than Khamzat Chimaev. Also, ‘Borz’ recently was on the sidelines due to a hand injury he suffered during his last fight. However, he stood firm in fighting for the title on his return. As such, he readily welcomed the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis.

Dricus Du Plessis won his previous fights against Robert Whittaker impressively to earn his title shot. However, he suffered an injury and let the opportunity slip to Sean Strickland. Strickland grabbed the chance with both arms and dethroned Israel Adesanya to become the middleweight champion. Now, the two men who produced spectacular upsets in 2023 collide for the middleweight title in the first PPV event of 2024, UFC 297. As such, Du Plessis looked forward to becoming the first South African UFC champion.

Khamzat Chimaev affirms fighting for the title next

Khamzat Chimaev faced Kamaru Usman in UFC 294 in a title eliminator, according to the UFC. Although it was the first time the two welterweights fought in middleweight, the UFC promised them a title shot. As such, Chimaev came out as the victor via Majority decision. But he didn’t get the immediate title fight due to an injury he suffered in UFC 294. However, he affirmed that on his return, he would face the middleweight champion.

The UFC middleweight championship is on the line for UFC 297. Champion Sean Strickland and #2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis go head-on in Toronto, Canada. In a recent interview, #9 ranked Khamzat Chimaev declared he would face the winner of this fight. Here is what he said:

100%. Who is winning the fight, he (Sean Strickland) has good fighter who he's fighting with, Du Plessis. If he wins against this guy for sure we’re going to fight, 100%. They promised for me the fight and so now we gonna wait who is winning the fight and then take the belt.

Khamzat Chimaev via Mohammed Hijab

Khamzat Chimaev kept his undefeated record intact even after moving up to middleweight. He has a record of 13 wins and no losses and hopes to claim the middleweight title in his next fight. As such, he might face Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis. So, UFC 297 partly decides the fate of Chimaev and the middleweight division.

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