In the lead-up to his highly-anticipated title fight against Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 297, rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has turned his attention to Dricus Du Plessis, expressing his intentions to face him after his impending bout. Chimaev’s bold declaration has ignited a storm of reactions from fans and the MMA community, shaping a controversial narrative ahead of the significant matchup.

Chimaev made his intentions clear through a recent social media post, declaring that if he emerges victorious against Strickland, Du Plessis would be next in line for a title shot. This proclamation has divided opinions, with some expressing support for Chimaev’s ambition, while others question the logic behind his statement.

In response to Chimaev’s comments, Du Plessis, who is set to challenge Strickland for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 297, expressed his disagreement with the proposed matchup. Du Plessis argued that Chimaev’s recent fight against Kamaru Usman was at welterweight, and with Chimaev’s upcoming bout against Strickland also at middleweight, a more logical choice for a potential first title defense would be against a ranked opponent, rather than Chimaev.

As the UFC 297 event approaches, fans are eagerly monitoring the situation, anticipating an intense and memorable title fight between Strickland and Chimaev. The potential clash between Chimaev and Du Plessis adds an intriguing layer to the event, leaving fans curious about the implications for the UFC middleweight division and the broader MMA community.