The middleweight division is currently buzzing with action. Israel Adesanya’s shocking knockout loss to rising contender Nassourdine Imavov has shaken up the rankings, while Khamzat Chimaev continues to push for his long-awaited title shot. To add to the excitement, Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland are set to clash for the second time this Saturday at UFC 312, with the middleweight title hanging in the balance.

But the big question remains—who will be next in line to face the winner? Will it be Khamzat Chimaev or the surging Nassourdine Imavov Recently, UFC commentator Jon Anik and veteran Kenny Florian weighed in on the situation, analyzing what could unfold after the highly anticipated Strickland vs. Du Plessis rematch.

Anik stated, “I can tell you without looking at the format that after we wrap Du Plessis you know where I’m going Strickland Act Two right? We’re gonna have Khamzat Chimaev B-Roll there. But there is a chance that they add some Nassourdine Imavov B-Roll, and had this fight happened maybe several weeks ago maybe they don’t do that so I think the timeline and the calendar pays out well for him. I think if Du Plessis loses to Strickland the result is conclusive. I think Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov in a Main Event are a true eliminator where there’s a title fight on the line.”

This B-Roll mention may have been a subtle way of suggesting that the Chechen Wolf is next in line. Moreover, Chimaev solidified his claim for a title shot by destroying Robert Whittaker last year. Now, with his newly acquired UAE citizenship, UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Chimaev will be heading to the U.S. for future fights.

Interestingly, Du Plessis recently revealed that he initially preferred a fight against Chimaev over his UFC 312 rematch with Sean Strickland. Speaking to ESPN, the South African star admitted he was eager to capitalize on the hype surrounding the undefeated fighter. “I was rallying for the Khamzat [Chimaev] fight, just because it was [a case of trying to] strike while the iron is hot. The hype was there—it would have been good for all of us,” Du Plessis said.

However, he didn’t mind running it back with Strickland either. That being said, ‘Tarzan’ might have his hands full, as DDP looks more jacked than ever heading into their highly anticipated rematch.

Dricus Du Plessis reveals his marvellous physique ahead of UFC 312

Regardless of whether his opponent is Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev, one thing is certain—Dricus Du Plessis is locked in and ready to go. Strength? Check. Conditioning? Check. Jacked physique? Check. And to top it all off, he’s leaving no stone unturned in his training—even testing out unconventional methods like surfing with training wheels.

Adding to the anticipation, DDP recently fired up fans by posting a picture of his shredded physique on Instagram. His message was clear—he’s not looking to leave this one in the hands of the judges. “Ready to kill or be killed. Fight week is finally here!” he wrote in the caption.

While the South African has faced criticism for fading in the later rounds, he has been working relentlessly to improve his endurance—an area that saw significant progress following his 2023 surgery. His coach, Morne Visser, previously revealed that before the procedure, DDP was only able to get “8% oxygen” through his nostrils. After the surgery, he proved his improved stamina by securing a brutal KO victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.

However, Strickland’s cardio remains one of the best in the division, which could be a factor in their rematch. So, if Du Plessis wins, will his next fight be against Khamzat Chimaev or Nassourdine Imavov? And what happens if Strickland reclaims the belt? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!