Dricus du Plessis, the former UFC Middleweight champion, is eager to reclaim his title. However, his path to the championship belt is not without challenges. At UFC 319, du Plessis faced a one-sided and unexciting decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev, who dominated with his wrestling skills. This defeat marked du Plessis' first loss in 10 UFC appearances and followed multiple successful title defenses. Despite this setback, the fighter is not deterred and is open to a rematch with Chimaev, recognizing that he is still in his prime and among the best 185-pound talents in the world.
One potential opponent du Plessis is keen to face is Brendan Allen, a fighter who has been vocal about his desire for a shot at the champion. Allen and du Plessis have engaged in verbal sparring, often following Allen's losses, and the tables have turned as Allen is on a career-best winning streak. Du Plessis, however, remains unfazed and is willing to take on any challenge that brings him closer to a title shot. He expressed his enthusiasm for a fight with Allen, calling him an 'idiot' and stating that he would love to 'smash his face in.'
Du Plessis' focus is on securing a title shot, and he is not concerned with hype fights. He aims to fight the best next opponent to reach his goal as quickly as possible. While Allen's recent wins make him a strong contender, du Plessis is also considering other potential matchups. The possibility of Nassourdine Imavov defeating Chimaev could benefit du Plessis, as it would place him in a favorable position in the win column. The outcome of these potential matchups will determine du Plessis' next steps in his pursuit of the championship belt.
