It looks like fan-favorite UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev will be booked for a middleweight title fight very soon.
On Saturday night, UFC 312 went down in Sydney, Australia, and featured a middleweight title fight main event. Reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis looked to successfully defend his belt against the man he took it away from a year ago, Sean Strickland.
Related: Khamzat Chimaev’s next fight – 3 opponent options for “Borz’s” UFC return
After five hard-fought rounds, the South African heard Bruce Buffer again say “and still” at the end of this weekend’s card. His latest victory has many wondering who will be next for the king of the UFC’s 185-pound division. Most of those same fans have been hoping that 2025 will be the year Khamzat Chimaev fights for gold.
Well, it seems we got an answer to both topics during Du Plessis’ post-fight press conference early on Sunday morning.
- Khamzat Chimaev record: 14-0 (5 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Khamzat Chimaev is likely next for Dricus Du Plessis after UFC 312
“Khamzat is next,” Du Plessis said. “I want to make sure there’s no question I’m the GOAT of middleweight. You have Anderson Silva. In my mind, he is the GOAT of this division. And you have [Israel] Adesanya, who’s done incredible things. But it’s not about how many times you defend [the belt]. It’s not just about who you fight.
“It’s how you defended it. What period of time you have done it. Who you’ve fought and made sure there is no question I am the best middleweight then going up. I want Khamzat next. He deserves a hiding.”
- Dricus Du Plessis record: 23-2 (9 knockouts, 11 submissions)
The UFC middleweight champ made it clear he is not looking to move up and get a second belt at 205 pounds anytime soon. Just like Silva and Adesanya, he wants to clear out the division first. And to do that, Chimaev is certainly a major video game-style boss he must face if he wants to be called the GOAT at 185 pounds.
Related: Where does Khamzat Chimaev land in our latest UFC middleweight rankings?
