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  • Dricus Du Plessis was ‘hoping and praying’ to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 312 instead of Sean Strickland


    Dricus du Plessis really, really wants to fight undefeated middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis didn’t hesitate to sign the dotted line for his UFC 312 rematch with Sean Strickland. But as negotiations progressed for his next fight after defeating Israel Adesanya, du Plessis hoped the matchmakers would give Khamzat Chimaev the title shot instead of running it back with his former rival.

    Chimaev is likely next for the du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 winner after UFC 312 this weekend, barring some unforeseen circumstances. The undefeated mauler made a massive statement in his most recent fight against former titleholder Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, as Chimaev submitted Whittaker and gave the former champion a nasty mouth injury.

    After Chimaev’s win at UFC 308, some believed he did enough to skip the line and overtake Strickland for the next middleweight title shot. If du Plessis had his way, it would’ve been Chimaev instead of Strickland opposite him in the UFC 312 main event.

    Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa poses on the scale during the UFC 312 ceremonial weigh-in at Qudos Bank Arena on February 07, 2025 in Sydney, Aus...
    Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    Dricus du Plessis lauds Khamzat Chimaev ahead of potential future title fight

    In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, du Plessis revealed what went through his mind as the UFC matchmakers plotted his next middleweight title defense.

    “Concerned? Absolutely not, I was hoping and praying [though],” du Plessis said. “I looked at him and went, huh, I know they’ve wanted Khamzat to be their guy for so long, he just hasn’t been able to. Now Khamzat is such an incredible fighter, he just hasn’t been able to constantly get to fights. Whatever the case may be, however long he’s been the guy and just being able to make that leap…

    “Khamzat has a massive following, the hype is there. Deserving, Khamzat is a special fighter. And I believe that once he fights me, that’s when people will see how special I am. And I was looking forward to having that fight, I wanted it so bad.”

    If du Plessis gets the better of Strickland in their rematch this weekend, the Chimaev matchup would likely be the next middleweight title fight. But Nassourdine Imavov, who defeated Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this month, is also firmly in the mix at 185lbs.

    Dricus du Plessis has Alex Pereira, Khamzat Chimaev on his radar after UFC 312

    Du Plessis has also teased a potential future move to light heavyweight to challenge Alex Pereira‘s 205lb title. Pereira will face Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event next month, and with a victory, the Brazilian would clear out most of the top light heavyweight contenders.

    Du Plessis and Pereira have teased a future fight against each other since the two stars became UFC world champions. Ahead of UFC 312, Strickland claimed Pereira ‘hates’ du Plessis, adding more headlines to a potential booking.

    As a new era in the UFC middleweight division progresses, du Plessis and Chimaev will inevitably clash inside the Octagon. But first thing’s first for the South African as he looks to fend off another former champion during his young title reign.





    South African UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis recently expressed his disappointment in not being able to secure a fight against rising star Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 312. Du Plessis admitted that he was “hoping and praying” for the opportunity to face Chimaev, but instead, he is set to fight Sean Strickland.

    Du Plessis, who is coming off a stunning knockout victory over Trevin Giles in his last fight, had been vocal about his desire to face Chimaev, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC. However, it seems that the matchup was not meant to be for UFC 312.

    Despite his disappointment, Du Plessis remains focused on his upcoming fight against Strickland and is determined to put on a show for the fans. With both fighters known for their aggressive fighting styles, this matchup promises to be an exciting one for MMA fans.

    While Du Plessis may not have gotten the fight he was hoping for, he remains optimistic about his future in the UFC and is determined to continue climbing the ranks in the middleweight division. Fans can expect to see an exciting performance from Du Plessis when he steps into the Octagon at UFC 312.

    Tags:

    Dricus Du Plessis, UFC 312, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland, MMA, fight, welterweight, competition, matchup, professional fighting, dream fight

    #Dricus #Plessis #hoping #praying #fight #Khamzat #Chimaev #UFC #Sean #Strickland

  • Fight By Fight Preview | UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2


    Before Du Plessis and Strickland run it back, strawweight queen Zhang Weili defends her title against unbeaten challenger Tatiana Suarez in a fascinating co-main event matchup.

    Zhang made just one appearance in 2024, but it was a memorable one, as the two-time titleholder rallied to defeat her compatriot Yan Xiaonan in a thrilling back-and-forth battle at UFC 300. The Chinese standout has now earned four straight victories and consecutive successful title defenses since reclaiming the belt towards the end of 2023, and will look to remain atop the division while handing Suarez her first professional loss this weekend in Sydney.

    Long considered a future champion, the 34-year-old Suarez finally gets the opportunity to challenge for UFC gold. The former Olympic wrestling hopeful and Ultimate Fighter winner has earned six wins and four finishes since her time on the long-running reality TV competition, and looks to become the sixth woman to sit atop the 115-pound weight class by maintaining her unblemished record and turning back Zhang.

    This is a fascinating contest on a number of levels, beginning with the stylistic dynamic between these two. Zhang has utilized her grappling and physicality more in recent bouts to control and subdue opponents, but Suarez is a phenomenal wrestler and grappler who has yet to be bested or tested on the canvas. There are also the contrasting questions about age and health, as Zhang is now 35 years old and closing in on 30 professional appearances, while Suarez has struggled to remain healthy and hasn’t fought since submitting Jessica Andrade in August 2023.

    Will it be “And Still” or “And New” when this one is over?





    UFC 312 is just around the corner, and fight fans are buzzing with excitement for the highly anticipated rematch between middleweight contenders Du Plessis and Strickland. In their first encounter, Strickland emerged victorious with a dominant performance, but Du Plessis is eager to avenge his loss and prove that he is the superior fighter.

    In this Fight By Fight Preview, we will break down each matchup on the card and give our predictions for how the night will unfold.

    Main Event: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2

    In the main event, Du Plessis and Strickland will face off once again in a battle for middleweight supremacy. Strickland’s striking prowess and relentless pressure proved to be too much for Du Plessis in their first meeting, but Du Plessis has shown significant improvement in his game since then. It will be a closely contested fight, but we predict that Du Plessis will come out on top this time with a TKO victory in the later rounds.

    Co-Main Event: Santos vs Johnson

    In the co-main event, Santos and Johnson will go head to head in a featherweight showdown. Santos is known for his explosive striking and knockout power, while Johnson is a well-rounded fighter with slick submissions and solid wrestling. This fight could go either way, but we believe Santos will secure a unanimous decision victory with his superior striking skills.

    Other Key Matchups:

    – Rivera vs Perez: This bantamweight clash promises to be a back and forth battle, but we see Rivera edging out Perez with a split decision win.
    – Silva vs Rodriguez: Two heavyweights with knockout power, Silva and Rodriguez will put on a show for the fans. We predict Silva will emerge victorious with a devastating knockout in the first round.

    Overall, UFC 312 is shaping up to be an electrifying event with plenty of exciting matchups. Make sure to tune in on fight night to witness all the action unfold!

    Tags:

    UFC 312, Du Plessis vs Strickland 2, UFC fight preview, Du Plessis vs Strickland rematch, MMA fight analysis, UFC 312 fight breakdown, UFC fight predictions

    #Fight #Fight #Preview #UFC #Plessis #Strickland

  • Israel Adesanya praises Dricus du Plessis, calls Sean Strickland’s challenge ‘kind of silly’


    Israel Adesanya always keeps a close eye on the middleweight division but one fight in particular that definitely interests him is the upcoming UFC 312 main event when Dricus du Plessis defends his title against Sean Strickland.

    Of course, Adesanya has history with both fighters having faced them in his past two appearances in the UFC before booking his upcoming matchup against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday. When it comes to du Plessis specifically, Adesanya had quite a bit of ill will with the current UFC middleweight champion but they seemed to settle their beefs after fighting this past August.

    In fact, Adesanya now has nothing but praise when addressing du Plessis as a fighter and champion, especially with the unorthodox way he always seems to get the job done.

    “The great fighters I think 90 percent or 80 percent follow the rules and 10 percent or 20 percent of the time break the rules,” Adesanya explained when speaking to MMA Fighting by way of Stake.com. “Dricus flipped that shit around.

    “10 percent of the time he follows the rules of striking and then other 90 percent he breaks the rules and he’s great. You can’t fault him for that. He’s so great at it. It’s working for him. Don’t try to fix it.”

    With Adesanya fighting on Saturday, the attention then shifts to du Plessis vs. Strickland 2, which takes place exactly one week later.

    In their first fight, du Plessis got the nod via split decision in a back-and-forth battle that saw both fighters have their moments. Strickland established a nasty lead jab that continuously found a home for him while du Plessis looked to do maximum damage while opening up cuts on his opponent that had blood pouring down his face.

    As they prepare for the rematch, Strickland issued an interesting challenge by telling du Plessis that they needed to meet on the feet and agree to no takedowns during the five-round battle.

    “I’m going to need you to be a f*cking man and I’m going to need you to stand up, not go to your knees, and we’re going to need to f*cking strike like men,” Strickland said on social media. “I know you like to wrestle, and you like to f*cking choke people out and do some gay shit, dude but I’ll make a pact with you. You make a pact with me that we f*cking stand up like f*cking men and we settle this shit like men.’’

    For his part, du Plessis already scoffed at the suggestion that he should just turn his fight with Strickland into a boxing match rather than actually use all of his skills as a mixed martial artist.

    Adesanya definitely agrees.

    “That’s kind of silly,” Adesanya said about Strickland’s demands. “It’s silly to say. I don’t think he means it because Dricus is good at what he does. Trying to take that away from him would be you’re not really proving you’re the best then.”

    While the first fight between du Plessis and Strickland was very close, Adesanya still favors the champion to retain his title in the rematch.

    “Look, I think Dricus is probably going to win that fight,” Adesanya said. “He’s great at what he does.”

    As far as potentially earning his own rematch against du Plessis or Strickland after he’s done at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Adesanya didn’t even want to think that far ahead.

    He’s enjoying that he can fight freely right now with no expectations about timing but more than anything Adesanya doesn’t want to take his eyes off Imavov until he gets the job done.

    “An Israel Adesanya 2025 would look like this fight coming up with my hand raised and I haven’t even planned out the rest,” Adesanya said. “All I’m focused on right now is getting in there with Imavov, doing work and getting my hand raised. Definitely where I’m at. After that, I’ll deal with it as it comes.”





    Israel Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, recently took to social media to praise fellow fighter Dricus du Plessis and dismiss Sean Strickland’s challenge as “kind of silly.”

    In his post, Adesanya commended du Plessis for his impressive performance in his recent fight, calling him a “beast” and predicting a bright future for the rising star. Adesanya highlighted du Plessis’ skill and determination, stating that he has all the makings of a future champion.

    On the other hand, when asked about Sean Strickland’s recent call-out for a fight, Adesanya brushed off the challenge as “kind of silly.” Adesanya expressed confidence in his abilities and suggested that Strickland may not be ready for a title shot just yet.

    Fans of Adesanya eagerly await his next move in the octagon, as he continues to dominate the middleweight division with his impressive skills and charisma. As for du Plessis, it seems that he has gained a new fan in the form of the champion himself, who sees great potential in the up-and-coming fighter.

    Tags:

    Israel Adesanya, Dricus du Plessis, Sean Strickland, UFC, MMA, Middleweight, Champion, Fight, Challenge, Praise, Interview, Reaction, Opinion

    #Israel #Adesanya #praises #Dricus #Plessis #calls #Sean #Stricklands #challenge #kind #silly

  • Du Plessis ‘a wrecking ball, I’m a f*cking scalpel’


    Sean Strickland sends Dricus Du Plessis a warning ahead of UFC 312.

    Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) runs things back with middleweight champion Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Feb. 8 main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).

    The former middleweight champion is adamant that he was robbed in his split decision loss to Du Plessis at UFC 297, and plans on marking up the South African’s face again in their rematch.

    “It comes down to what I said before about f*cking Dricus on that short bus,” Strickland told MMA Junkie. “I respect him for it. He goes f*cking full send – full f*cking send, and I respect him for that. But you know, you’re a wrecking ball. I’m a f*cking scalpel.

    “It just comes down to who’s better. I think I was better last time. I think I’m better this time. I think I’m going to f*cking piece you apart. Your face will look the exact same after, if not worse.”

    Strickland insists things aren’t personal with Du Plessis, but thinks the judges were swayed by the wrong things in their first fight.

    “I feel like more I got robbed,” Strickland said. “I feel like that headbutt changed things. It changed the optics, the dynamics. It’s not personal in the sense that I hate Dricus. It’s just personal in the sense that we need to fight in a f*cking five-round war and see what happens.”

    For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.

    Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.





    In the world of rugby, there are players who are known for their brute force and power, and then there are players who are known for their precision and finesse. Du Plessis, the South African rugby player, is a perfect blend of both.

    Dubbed as a “wrecking ball” on the field, Du Plessis is a force to be reckoned with. His sheer strength and aggression make him a nightmare for opposing teams. He bulldozes his way through defenses, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

    But Du Plessis is more than just a wrecking ball. He is also a “f*cking scalpel” – a player who is surgical in his precision and execution. His ability to read the game, anticipate his opponents’ moves, and make split-second decisions sets him apart from the rest.

    Du Plessis’ unique combination of power and finesse makes him a truly formidable player on the rugby field. He is a force of nature, capable of tearing through defenses with brute force, but also skilled enough to dissect them with surgical precision.

    In a sport that values both strength and skill, Du Plessis is a rare talent who embodies the best of both worlds. He is a wrecking ball and a f*cking scalpel, a player who can dismantle his opponents with raw power and surgical precision. And that is what makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the world of rugby.

    Tags:

    Du Plessis, wrecking ball, scalpel, cricket, South Africa, captain, leadership, sports, strategy, aggression, precision, team player, performance, analysis, skills, game changer

    #Plessis #wrecking #ball #fcking #scalpel

  • ‘I dogwalked Izzy’ … Sean Strickland believes his striking is ‘lightyears’ ahead of Dricus du Plessis


    Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes he has better striking skills than current champion Dricus du Plessis, especially when comparing their fights against Israel Adesanya.

    While not the flashiest fighter in the UFC, Strickland has been a tricky puzzle for many fighters. ‘Tarzan’ utilizes a sharp jab, stabbing teeps, a great gas tank, and impeccable defense to pressure his opponents into fighting his fight.

    His style culminated in his masterwork against Israel Adesanya, an incredibly accomplished kickboxer and then-middleweight champion. Sizeable underdog Strickland secured a decision against Adesanya, jabbing him pillar to post and knocking him down in the first round.

    Du Plessis dethroned Strickland at UFC 297 in 2024. ‘Stillknocks’ went on to submit Adesanya in his first title defense and, comparing their fights with ‘Stylebender,’ Strickland has concluded that he’s the better striker.

    (L-R) Sean Strickland drops Israel Adesanya of Nigeria with a punch in the first round of the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 29...
    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Sean Strickland believes he has better striking than Dricus du Plessis after Israel Adesanya performances

    On the UFC 312 Countdown, Strickland remarked that Du Plessis “does nothing right” and that Adesanya beat him in the striking before the submission.

    “The thing about Dricus is he does nothing right but it always works out,” Strickland remarked. “. . . I think my striking’s lightyears better than his. Izzy was beating him in striking; I dogwalked Izzy.”

    Strickland lost his title to Du Plessis in a highly contentious split decision. It was a near 50-50 split on media members’ scorecards, and fans had Du Plessis losing the fight, per MMA Decisions.

    Sean Strickland gets a second chance at greatness at UFC 312

    Strickland and Du Plessis will face off for the middleweight throne in the main event of UFC 312 on February 8. The full card is as follows, subject to change:

    Main Card

    • (C) Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland; Middleweight title fight
    • (C) Weili Zhang vs. Tatiana Suarez; W. Strawweight title fight
    • Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira; Heavyweight
    • Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato; Light Heavyweight
    • Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado; Welterweight

    Prelims

    • Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos; Featherweight
    • Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borschev; Lightweight
    • Wang Cong vs. Bruna Brasil; W. Flyweight
    • Colby Thicknesse vs. Aleksandre Topuria; Bantamweight
    • Jonathan Micallef vs. Kevin Jousset; Welterweight
    • Park Hyun-sung vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel; Flyweight





    I dogwalked Izzy: Sean Strickland believes his striking is ‘lightyears’ ahead of Dricus du Plessis

    In a recent interview, UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland didn’t hold back when discussing his upcoming opponent, Dricus du Plessis. Strickland, known for his no-nonsense attitude, confidently stated that his striking skills are “lightyears” ahead of du Plessis.

    “I’ve watched his fights, I know what he brings to the table,” Strickland said. “But let’s be real here, I dogwalked Izzy [Israel Adesanya] in sparring, and he’s one of the best strikers in the world. Dricus is good, but he’s not on my level when it comes to stand-up.”

    Strickland, who is coming off an impressive victory over Uriah Hall, is looking to make a statement in his next fight against du Plessis. The South African fighter has been on a tear in the UFC, with notable wins over the likes of Trevin Giles and Brendan Allen.

    But Strickland remains unfazed by his opponent’s recent success, confident in his own abilities to come out on top.

    “I’m not here to play games, I’m here to dominate,” Strickland declared. “Dricus better be ready for a war, because I’m bringing everything I’ve got to this fight.”

    Fans can expect fireworks when these two middleweights face off in the Octagon, as both fighters are known for their aggressive fighting styles. Will Strickland’s striking prowess be enough to overcome du Plessis’ skills, or will the South African contender prove to be a tough challenge for the surging American? Stay tuned to find out.

    Tags:

    dogwalking, Izzy, Sean Strickland, striking, Dricus du Plessis, MMA, UFC, fight analysis, combat sports

    #dogwalked #Izzy #Sean #Strickland #believes #striking #lightyears #ahead #Dricus #Plessis

  • Alex Pereira expected to corner Sean Strickland for title fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312


    Sean Strickland has plenty of backup in his corner when he faces Dricus du Plessis in a rematch with the middleweight title on the line at UFC 312.

    In addition to his regular crew of coaches, which includes head corner Eric Nicksick, Strickland will receive some extra advice from UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    The Brazilian is set to corner Strickland for his fight against du Plessis after they actually fought back in 2022. Since then, Pereira and Strickland have trained together and become friends while also no longer competing in the same weight class.

    Pereira is expected to serve as the fourth coach in Strickland’s corner per Nicksick, who confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Tuesday after initially revealing his plans to The Schmo on YouTube.

    Strickland is attempting to reclaim the middleweight title after he lost the belt to du Plessis back in January 2024 in a razor close decision. Since that time, Strickland went onto beat perennial contender Paulo Costa to put himself in a position to get another shot at the belt.

    Meanwhile, du Plessis vanquished longtime foe Israel Adesanya with an impressive submission victory this past August in his first title defense.

    Following his win over Adesanya last year, du Plessis actually welcomed a future fight against Pereira after he posted a photo on Instagram saying he was interested in returning to middleweight for at least one more appearance to take on the new champion from South Africa.

    The fighters exchanged a few more words over social media and through interviews but an actual bout between them never came to fruition.

    Instead, du Plessis can just look across the octagon on Feb. 8 when he’s facing Strickland and he’ll see Pereira staring right back at him.



    Alex Pereira, the former kickboxing champion turned MMA star, is expected to corner Sean Strickland for his upcoming title fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. Pereira, known for his devastating striking and knockout power, will bring his wealth of experience and expertise to Strickland’s corner as he prepares to face off against du Plessis for the middleweight championship.

    Strickland, coming off a dominant performance in his last fight, is looking to continue his winning streak and capture the title in what promises to be a highly anticipated matchup. With Pereira in his corner, Strickland will have a seasoned coach and mentor by his side, helping him to navigate the challenges of facing a formidable opponent like du Plessis.

    Fans can expect an electrifying fight between two elite middleweight contenders, with Pereira’s guidance adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup. As the countdown to UFC 312 begins, all eyes will be on Strickland and du Plessis as they prepare to battle it out for the title, with Pereira playing a crucial role in Strickland’s corner. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable night of action-packed MMA.

    Tags:

    1. Alex Pereira
    2. Sean Strickland
    3. Dricus du Plessis
    4. UFC 312
    5. Title fight
    6. MMA news
    7. Fight predictions
    8. Middleweight division
    9. UFC matchups
    10. Alex Pereira vs Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis

    #Alex #Pereira #expected #corner #Sean #Strickland #title #fight #Dricus #Plessis #UFC

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