The juggernaut of the UFC middleweight division, Dricus ‘StillKnocks’ Du Plessis, with an 8-fight winning streak, is rushing towards the middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, to challenge him for the title at UFC 297. The no. 2 ranked middleweight contender believes that he has what it takes to finish the champ, as he did to 19 of his opponents from his 20 wins. He was confident enough to even call out who his first title defense would be against.

If Du Plessis wins his fight against Strickland at UFC 297, most fans would believe that Strickland would deserve a rematch. However, the UFC might have something different in store, especially with Khamzat Chimaev lurking in the shadows.

Dricus Du Plessis predicts his first title defense

In an interview with MMA Junkie, the journalist asked Du Plessis if Khamzat Chimaev and Israel Adesanya would be the most likely candidates for a title defense if he wins the divisional gold at UFC 297. In response, the 30-year-old questioned how Chimaev got himself into title contention.

‘Stillknocks’ claimed that ‘Borz’ is a welterweight who has yet to fight any legit middleweight contenders. He even dismissed Chimaev’s only win against Gerald Meerschaert back in 2020, saying, “Yeah, I mean, Gerald Meerschaert. I mean, when was that? Where was he ranked? I don’t even know. No, he wasn’t ranked. So in my opinion, that makes absolutely no sense.”

The South African pointed out how Chimaev got promised a title shot without ever beating a top middleweight contender (something fans call ‘Dana White Privilege’). Du Plessis claimed that Israel Adesanya should be his first title defense, by stating, “If there’s a champion, if you get a title shot, I’m the champion. You’re not gonna get a title shot and Israel Adesanya. Yeah, that’s, that makes sense.”

Dricus Du Plessis seems confident that he will beat Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to become the new UFC middleweight champion. And it doesn’t seem like Chimaev would get a shot at the strap anytime soon if he wins.

Khamzat Chimaev responds to ‘StillKnocks’

Despite Khamzat Chimaev not fighting at UFC 297, his name has been brought up quite several times by the South African in his interviews. Dricus Du Plessis has been pretty consistent in his take on how Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t deserve a title shot at middleweight.

The comments made by ‘Stillknocks’ seem to have gotten to the undefeated UFC prospect as he took to his Twitter account to take a jab at the two middleweights. In his tweet, Chimaev wrote, “They have a fight soon, but they both think about me, I didn’t know that I was scaring them so much”

Watch This Story: TW Watch: Sean Strickland Threatens To Stab Dricus Du Plessis if UFC Star Bring Up His Abusive Father in Trash Talk

Regardless of the outcome of the main event for UFC 297, who do you think should get the next shot at the title? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also Read: Khamzat Chimaev Reminder for Dana White Post UFC 297 Has Fans Divided; Could Feature in UFC 300 Fight for MW Title – “Chimaev Is Going to Sub Sean Strickland”