Dricus du Plessis explains the silver lining in facing Sean Strickland instead of Khamzat Chimaev: “Americans sometimes need to learn the hard way"
Dricus Du Plessis recently opened up on what made him accept a rematch against Sean Strickland as his next fight over a showdown against Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis captured the middleweight gold at UFC 297 via a controversial split-decision victory against Sean Strickland. However, a chunk of the MMA community, including Dana White, refuted the judge's decision to declare Du Plessis the victor. Strickland has been relentless regarding his demands for a rematch since then.
But Chimaev's dominant victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 made his case for getting a shot at the title shot before Strickland. In a previous interview with TMZ Sports, du Plessis also mentioned he would like to have Chimaev as his next title defense rival over 'Tarzan'.
In his recent appearance on Breakfast with Martin Bester on Jacaranda FM, the South African confessed that he was expecting Chimaev as his next title defense rival. But he also disclosed the reason behind accepting the UFC's offer to lock horns with Strickland next. Du Plessis said:
"I knew after the first fight [UFC 297 main event] that we were gonna meet again. [But] I honestly believed it would be Khamzat, more hoped, and that’s the fight I was grinding for. But when they [UFC authorities] said Strickland, I wasn’t all that surprised. It was bound to happen again, and here we go."
'Stillknocks' continued:
"Anyway, I’m glad we’ll be doing this again so that we can finally settle everything, although in my mind it’s been settled. But you know, just to make sure, these Americans sometimes need to learn the hard way. And then we can close off that chapter and move on to the next."
Check out Dricus du Plessis' words below (0:36):
Dricus du Plessis disagrees with fans electing Sean Strickland as the next best guy who deserves the title shot
Dricus du Plessis also posted an X update recently, which clarified his decision to accept the rematch against Sean Strickland as his next encounter. Du Plessis doubled down on his words about expecting Khamzat Chimaev as his next rival in the update.
However, he also mentioned that he had no issues in accepting a rematch against Strickland, as most fans thought he was "the next best guy" who deserved the title shot most. 'Stillknocks' penned:
"Just for clarification, I preferred the Khamzat fight, but the rematch is the fight most wanted before Khamzat vs. Whittaker. I’m not unhappy with the UFC’s decision. Like I said I’ll fight the man fans think is the next best guy he was promised the fight, so Strickland it is."
However, the comments section of du Plessis' update showcased a fan refuting the narrative of Strickland being "the next best guy" who deserved the title shot. The fan wrote:
"Literally nobody thought Strickland was the next best guy."
Despite accepting the rematch against Strickland, Du Plessis' reply showcased that he agreed with the fan's opinion:
"I have to agree with you on that one"