Dricus Du Plessis knocking out Robert Whittaker was the most important win of his career this time last year. After all with that win on the UFC 290 co-main event last year, he became the next in line to fight for the title. Needless to say, ‘Stillknocks’ and his team were happy. Ecstatic, in fact.

He was so ecstatic that he kissed his coach on the lips right after it. And while this may seem a bit strange to most fans, it is not uncommon in South Africa and is a totally platonic move. But of course, this is the MMA community, one of the most macho spaces in the world. This one moment has predictably led to a bevy of memes and the predictable jokes and mocking that the reigning middleweight champ is still contending with, the latest of these coming from Khamzat Chimaev. However, Du Plessis, of course, is not one to take things lying down and has responded on social media.

Dricus Du Plessis wants Khamzat Chimaev to focus on UFC 308 clash with Whittaker

Khamzat Chimaev is a middleweight now. Or so he claims even though he has only fought twice in the division and is currently unranked. The reason he has only fought once at middleweight? His turning down or pulling out of fights due to health issues (which have become something of a theme for him) over the past year.

However, despite this, it didn’t stop ‘Borz’ from taking aim at the reigning champ Dricus Du Plessis on the same old lines. Egged on by his former teammate and (maybe) friend Darren Till on a recent Twitter (X) Space, Chimaev promised to win the 185-pound title to rescue it from the likes of Du Plessis.

“We need to get the title back for the normal people man. This gay has the belt. First time I have seen like African gay man,” Chimaev quipped to a gaggle of cackling fans and Till.

After this moment was predictably clipped and uploaded on Instagram by ‘HOME OF FIGHT’, Dricus Du Plessis almost immediately responded, not stooping down to Chimaev’s level, but simply suggesting the ethnic Chechen “just focus ons [sic] trying to making it to a fight, any fight!”

Indeed if the undefeated middleweight makes it to his upcoming (re)scheduled fight with Robert Whittaker on UFC 308 this October and wins, he will probably be next to face ‘DDP’ for the title. If that is, the South African will still be the champ by then.

Du Plessis to face Sean Strickland before winner of Whittaker-Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of their UFC 305 clash just last month to defend his title in style for the first time. This, however, was in sharp contrast to how the middleweight powerhouse had won the title.

Facing then-champ Sean Strickland in January this year, he eked out a razor-thin split decision to become the UFC’s first South African champion. But many, including Dana White and many fans felt ‘Tarzan’ was hard done by the judges, and should have retained his title.

And this is precisely why Strickland is next in line to face ‘Stillknocks’, as Dana White has confirmed. While there has been no official announcement (or even rumors) at this point for a date, even a tentative one, their bout will take place no sooner than January of next year since all the events for this year (except UFC 310) already have their main events. That is why Chimaev, even if he defeats ‘Bobby Knuckles’ in late October, may not even get to face the South African for the middleweight title.

What are your thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis’ back and forth? Will we see them face off for the title?