Here’s a bold statement: Khamzat Chimaev’s dominance in the middleweight division might finally meet its match, and it’s not who you’d expect. But here’s where it gets controversial—Dricus du Plessis, the former UFC middleweight champion who’s faced both Chimaev and Sean Strickland, is putting his money on Strickland to give Chimaev a run for his money. Yes, you heard that right. Despite holding two wins over Strickland, du Plessis believes Strickland’s style could be the key to cracking Chimaev’s seemingly unstoppable 15-0 record.
Chimaev, who snatched the middleweight belt from du Plessis last summer, has looked untouchable in the Octagon. Yet, du Plessis isn’t just throwing out a wild prediction. On The Ariel Helwani Show, he explained, ‘I do think Strickland will do great against Khamzat. Just his style, I think he would.’ And this isn’t just blind faith—du Plessis points to Strickland’s striking prowess and his underrated ability to scramble back to his feet after takedowns as game-changers. ‘Strickland is stronger than people think,’ du Plessis added, ‘and his technique to get back to his feet is very good.’
And this is the part most people miss—du Plessis even goes as far as saying Strickland is a tougher matchup for Chimaev than Nassourdine Imavov, another top contender at 185 lbs. Remember Strickland’s performance against Imavov? Du Plessis does, and he’s convinced it’s a blueprint for success against Chimaev. ‘100 percent, Strickland is a tougher matchup,’ he declared.
But let’s not forget the elephant in the room: du Plessis himself. After being dominated by Chimaev at UFC 319 in 2025, he’s been on the sidelines, nursing an injury that derailed his planned comeback at UFC 327. ‘I really wanted to fight in April,’ he admitted, ‘but the injury held me back.’ While he’s eyeing a return in May, the road to reclaiming the title remains uncertain. And what about that rumored fight against Kamaru Usman? Du Plessis insists he never got the offer, but he’d jump at the chance. ‘Whatever gets me to the title again,’ he said.
So, here’s the burning question: Is Strickland the real threat to Chimaev’s reign, or is du Plessis underestimating the champion’s dominance? And while we’re at it, who do you think is the biggest threat to Chimaev at middleweight? Strickland? Imavov? Or maybe someone else entirely? Let’s spark some debate in the comments—agree or disagree, but let’s keep it respectful and insightful!
