Dricus Du Plessis has taken direct aim at the politics he believes are holding back the UFC middleweight division’s most in-form fighter, Nassourdine Imavov.
Dricus Du Plessis Calls It Out Directly
On UFC Oklahoma City media day, Dricus Du Plessis said this about Nassourdine Imavov’s reluctance to face Khamzat Chimaev:
“That was a fight that was supposed to happen, and he said no because we are brothers. I believe that’s the reason. You either take the title shot, or you don’t.”
Why the Nassourdine Imavov and Khamzat Chimaev Fight Has Never Happened
Nassourdine Imavov is on one of the most impressive win streaks in the middleweight division and by merit alone should be in a title conversation. The reason that conversation keeps stalling is widely believed to be rooted in the shared Chechen and Muslim brotherhood that connects Imavov and Chimaev beyond the sport. Both fighters have strong ties to the same cultural and religious community, and there is a genuine reluctance on both sides to settle rankings disputes against someone they consider a brother.
Du Plessis is calling that out as the real reason Imavov’s career has plateaued despite his results.
What Khamzat Chimaev Is Actually Chasing
Khamzat Chimaev is heavily rumoured to be targeting a rematch with Sean Strickland for the middleweight title. “The Sniper” is also targeting a shot at the current and two-time 185-pound champion after “Borz” lost his title earlier this year.
Dricus Du Plessis Eyes a Third Strickland Fight
Dricus Du Plessis faces Kamaru Usman this weekend at UFC Oklahoma City and arrives as a two-time conqueror of Strickland, having beaten the American champion twice already. A win over Usman keeps him in the title picture and potentially sets up a third fight with Strickland, which remains his clearest and most compelling route back to middleweight gold.
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