Who will Dricus Du Plessis face next for his second title defense? This question has enticed the combined interest of pundits and fans alike as Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland try to involve themselves in the narrative. When the South African was asked about the same, he leaned more toward the Chechen fighter who recently bulldozered his way through Robert Whittaker.

On the other hand, Strickland has made his intentions known by declaring that he wants to fight in Vegas rather than Australia for his shot at the 185lbs crown. Amidst the buzz, UFC insider Michael Bisping has given a foolproof plan for all three fighters to get their dues.

Michael Bisping lays out a blueprint for DDP’s title defense 

Discussing a potential opponent for Dricus Du Plessis on the Believe You Me podcast, Michael Bisping shared his thoughts on the likely trajectory of upcoming fights at 185lbs. While Du Plessis might lean toward a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev for the fresh challenge he represents, Bisping has a different perspective. He believes Chimaev needs to demonstrate greater consistency and reliability before earning a title shot.

“If I had to guess, though, I still think it would be Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland,” the Brit remarked. “As great as Khamzat is and as much of a force as he can be, he’s been a little bit unreliable. So, if it were my company—which, of course, it’s not—I’d want to see Khamzat be a bit more dependable.” Bisping went on to suggest that giving Chimaev a main event opportunity in Saudi Arabia would be an ideal way to assess his consistency, both in terms of health and performance.

‘The Count’ further elaborated, “Probably give him a bit less time, then give him the title fight—because he’s proven he can handle that. He can travel the world, and meanwhile, Sean Strickland and Dricus can have their rematch, setting the table nicely.” Bisping favors a Strickland vs. Du Plessis matchup before Chimaev enters the title picture, countering Du Plessis’ preference for a showdown with Chimaev.

Meanwhile, Du Plessis was keenly analyzing the recent UFC 308 clash between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev, evaluating his future opponents. In a recent interview, the Middleweight Champion commented on the potential of a fight with Chimaev, revealing that he’s especially interested in facing the Chechen.

Dricus Du Plessis and his gameplan in a potential scrap against ‘Borz’

Dricus Du Plessis has been meticulously studying Khamzat Chimaev’s fighting style, analyzing the relentless grappling heavy game that he brings to the Octagon. The prospect of facing Chimaev excites the South African, who is drawn to the challenge and the opportunity to unlock new levels of his performance. He’s even hinted at a bold game plan, promising an all-out assault complemented by his signature, aggressive style.

“Absolute chaos!”, Du Plessis chuckled on Submission Radio. “It’s going to be absolute chaos. I don’t see him coming in with a different game plan, and neither am I and I am going out there to attack, I’m going out there to kill. I’m not going out there to defend Khamzat’s takedowns—I’m going to attack”. Du Plessis also predicted that their fight would look “a little bit different” than Chimaev’s recent bout with Robert Whittaker.

Chimaev’s victory over Whittaker at UFC 308 was a dominant display, ending with the Australian’s teeth being lodged deep in his mouth. But despite Chimaev’s fearsome performance, Du Plessis isn’t intimidated. He’s even more motivated. “As a fan of the sport and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that excites me—taking somebody’s ‘0’. I’ve beaten Strickland before and I know I’ll beat him again. But fighting Khamzat, that gets me excited,” Du Plessis shared in an interview with RadioRaps.

For now, UFC President Dana White hasn’t officially confirmed any decisions about the title picture, leaving fans to speculate. Do you agree with Michael Bisping’s view that Strickland vs. Du Plessis should happen first, or do you believe Chimaev has earned a title shot? Let us know your thoughts!