Dricus du Plessis is keen to get again into the cage and his opponent might be Khamzat Chimaev.
The reigning UFC middleweight champion advised The Sias du Plessis Show that he and Chimaev have verbally agreed to combat, with two attainable dates in thoughts. In line with du Plessis, their matchup will happen no later than September.
“So we have now a date,” du Plessis mentioned. “However we have now potential of two dates. I already agreed to each. Lots of people are saying, ‘Is it this 12 months?’ Sure, 100%. It’s not distant. It’s not that distant. The announcement might be made quickly. Me and the UFC, we’ve recognized. All these rumors that got here out with accidents, I don’t know the place it got here from, it was ridiculous. I used to be like, OK, and I simply left it for like per week after which I used to be like, ‘OK, all people had their enjoyable, now you’re all going to look silly.’ We’ve already agreed on a date. That’s been some time in the past.
“So I’m simply ready for the contract, however that’s the combat that’s occurring. It’s going to be occurring within the subsequent couple of months, most 4 months. It’s going to occur one in all nowadays. Nothing is signed, however I’ve already agreed to any date. Any date that they gave me, I mentioned, ‘Cool. Prepared. Let’s do it.’”
Du Plessis just lately shot down rumors that he would miss the remainder of 2025 with an harm, dismissing it as social media scuttlebutt. He’s coming off of a unanimous resolution win over rival Sean Strickland this previous February at UFC 312, which marked du Plessis’ second consecutive profitable title protection. His UFC file improved to 9-0.
Ought to Chimaev be introduced as his challenger quickly, du Plessis appears to be like ahead to defusing his harmful wrestling, simply as he has the elite abilities of his earlier opponents.
“His wrestling is world class,” du Plessis mentioned. “It’s phenomenal. However so is Israel Adesanya’s hanging, proper? So is Sean Strickland’s boxing. World class. Adesanya’s hanging, world class, his kickboxing file speaks for itself. This isn’t hanging, this isn’t wrestling, this isn’t grappling, that is MMA. And sure, I do assume his wrestling is phenomenal, however when the evening comes, it’s not about educating him a lesson, it’s about proving as soon as once more that I would be the best of all-time and doing no matter I’ve to to show that.
“As a result of sure, I do know his wrestling is nice, it’s, 100%. He’s confirmed it. I imply, have a look at his performances, however you’re solely pretty much as good as your opponent helps you to and I gained’t allow you to look good. I can allow you to look good, however I can’t allow you to win, sadly.”
Du Plessis has ceaselessly been criticized for his unorthodox fashion, however the outcomes have been simple. Not solely is he undefeated contained in the octagon, he has scored finishes in six of his 9 wins together with a submission of Israel Adesanya and a knockout of Robert Whittaker.
Unraveling Chimaev’s mystique is the following huge take a look at for du Plessis—assuming Chimaev makes it to the cage. Chimaev has struggled with inactivity, with simply 4 fights up to now three years.
Luckily for du Plessis, it doesn’t matter to him whether or not it’s Khamzat or another person: He’s simply able to defend his belt once more.
“These are the sorts of forces that don’t hassle me as a result of I strive to not be involved about issues that I’ve no management over,” du Plessis mentioned of the potential for a Chimaev withdrawal. “The UFC at all times finds a plan. Like I mentioned, I don’t put together for Khamzat. I put together to be one of the best Dricus. So after that, if he pulls out combat week, UFC will get someone else. There’s plenty of contenders proper now, and whoever they put in there, I’ll be prepared for it.”
