‘You’re not Jon Jones’… Dricus du Plessis slammed after claiming he won’t fight the UFC 319 backup

Nassourdine Imavov reacts after Dricus du Plessis rejects his UFC 319 backup role

Nassourdine Imavov was revealed to be the official backup for the UFC 319 main event in May. Imavov knocked out Israel Adesanya in February to cement himself in title contention.

But while the Frenchman may be crossing his fingers for Chimaev to pull out so that he can have his shot in Chicago on August 16, Du Plessis has told him not to hold his horses.

The South African recently revealed to RMC Combat that he has no intention of accepting a late-notice fight with Imavov should Chimaev be afflicted by illness, injury, or something else that stops him making the walk at UFC 319.

Imavov didn’t take long to fire back on X, telling Du Plessis that he isn’t in a position to turn down challengers in the same fashion as Jon Jones at heavyweight.

“Thanks for the compliments @dricusduplessis but you’re not Jon Jones,” Imavov wrote. “If something happens, you’re not going to block anything, if you’re not ready to defend leave the place.”

Dricus du Plessis’ ominous warning to Khamzat Chimaev

For the time being, Du Plessis’ reluctance to fight Imavov at UFC 319 doesn’t need to be addressed.

With that, the South African will have his focus fully on handing Chimaev his first defeat in professional MMA.

If ‘Borz’ makes it to fight night in Chicago unscathed, Du Plessis has vowed to shock the world with a dominant defense of his throne.

“I don’t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong,” Du Plessis wrote on Instagram.

“When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.

“That’s a promise. As we say in built different!! #stillknocks #preparetobeamazed.”

UFC 319 takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 16. The title fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev is currently the only confirmed matchup.