October 8, 2024: During the Dana White’s Contender Series 75 post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex, Dana White says Sean Strickland is the next opponent for Dricus Du Plessis.

October 30, 2024: Du Plessis says, not Strickland, but he wants Khamzat Chimaev to fight next. “I think the whole world wants to see it,” he says, speaking with RadioRaps.

And the saga continues. So, Sean Strickland finds himself in a familiar position in the UFC middleweight division: waiting for a shot at the title. After losing the championship to Dricus Du Plessis earlier this year, Strickland remains one of the division’s top contenders. Known for his unorthodox striking style and brash personality, Strickland has consistently demonstrated his ability to compete with the best, and his performances continue to keep him in the title conversation.

Dricus Du Plessis has built a reputation as a fearless competitor in the middleweight division, and believes a showdown with Chimaev is what fans and the UFC need. Expressing his excitement about the potential matchup, ‘Stillknocks’ stated that fighting Chimaev would be an opportunity to take on one of the toughest challenges in the division and prove himself as a dominant champion. The champion’s coach, Morne Visser, also indicated a desire for the fight to happen as early as February 2025.

For Du Plessis, a win over Chimaev could solidify his legacy and potentially open the door for a move toward champ-champ status in the UFC. So which fighter will get the nod ahead? This is exactly what Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick was asked in a conversation with The Schmo. “Dricus has said he wants Khamzat Chimaev but Dana White said after Sean Strickland beating Paulo Costa that he’d be next in line so what are we going to do here coach?” Nicksick was asked.

The coach said during the conversation, “Well I mean we’re at the mercy of the promotion and what they want to see next. But I also think it’s a matter of the scheduling. Is Khamzat gonna be ready for a February fight, I don’t know. We were told possibly February or March.”

Interestingly, the coach agreed on one point. “I think Khamzat did everything he was supposed to do right. He did everything he was supposed to do against Whittaker. He won in an emphatic fashion so he did the best he can, to put his his his best leg forward to take that opportunity away from Sean.”

But he further reiterated, “But again it’s up to the promotion and how they’re going to see you know which one they value the most and where the fights gonna be and who’s going to sell the most tickets.” As the division’s narrative unfolds, Sean Strickland remains a compelling figure, blending elite skills with an unpredictable personality that keeps fans engaged.

His quest for redemption could be one of the division’s most exciting storylines in the coming months. However, the champion has taken a special liking for ‘Borz’. While the fight does excite most of the fans out there, Du Plessis is confident that he can end the run of the undefeated fighter.

Dricus Du Plessis isn’t worried about the hype surrounding Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev delivered a stunning performance against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, solidifying his claim as a top contender in the middleweight division. Chimaev’s elite grappling and relentless pressure led to a first-round submission victory. Whittaker, a former champion and one of the most durable fighters in the division, found himself overwhelmed by Chimaev’s power and precision.

The victory propelled Chimaev into the spotlight as a legitimate title challenger. Many fans and analysts praised his ability to dismantle a former champion so efficiently, with calls for him to face middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis next.

The win also marked Chimaev’s eighth consecutive UFC victory, further establishing his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the promotion. However, the champion isn’t quite worried about the claims but is rather looking ahead to the challenge.

During an interview with Brett Okamoto, he said, “When it comes to strength, there’s not even a doubt in my mind. You know, Khamzat is a strong guy. I don’t think – no, I know for a fact that he’s never fought power like this. Now, when it comes to his wrestling, obviously that’s his strong suite and where he likes to take a fight. And, I would welcome that if I had to fight him. You know, let’s meet strengths and see who can last”.

Chimaev’s triumph at UFC 308 was a statement-making performance, one that firmly places him in the mix for the middleweight title. But the big question is who will get the nod ahead from the promotion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.