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What’s Next For Dricus du Plessis?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 8:57 AM ET

Dricus du Plessis’ reign as UFC Middleweight Champion came to an end after Khamzat Chimaev won a dominant unanimous decision, raising questions over his next steps.

The former champion was dominated on the ground for nearly the entire fight. After such a definitive loss, du Plessis needs to consider his next fight carefully. A rematch with Sean Strickland is an option. The two have already fought twice, with du Plessis winning both by decision. Strickland is primarily a striker, his grappling is solid, but it is not at the elite level of Chimaev. This allows du Plessis to work on his wrestling defense without the risk of being completely overwhelmed.

Other Options

Another path for Du Plessis would be to face a rising contender. Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked number one in the division, could be an option. Imavov is a sharp, technical striker with excellent footwork and a strong fundamental grappling game. Imavov is coming off a win over Israel Adesanya, and his stock is at an all-time high. A victory for du Plessis would be a major statement.

A fight against Robert Whittaker could also be a perfect comeback. Whittaker is a former champion and one of the most well-rounded fighters in the middleweight division. Whittaker’s style is a mixture of elite striking and high-level takedown defense. He doesn’t have the grappling of Chimaev, but his takedown defense is among the best.

This fight would allow du Plessis to test his improved grappling. Du Plessis defeated Whittaker in a upset, a victory that earned him his title shot. A second win over Whittaker would not only prove his dominance, but also serve as a statement to the rest of the division that he is still a contender.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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