Elite fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and Israel Adesanya pack the middleweight division, each posing a serious threat in the title race. Dricus Du Plessis, after a breakout in 2024, now holds the championship and is set to defend it against Sean Strickland at UFC 312. Meanwhile, UFC commentator Jon Anik sees Nassourdine Imavov, fresh off an impressive victory fight against DDP. He says If Du Plessis loses to Strickland, a showdown between him and Imavov could emerge as a true title eliminator.
During a recent chat, Anik shared his thoughts on the middleweight title picture, suggesting that after wrapping up Du Plessis vs. Strickland, attention will likely shift to Khamzat Chimaev. However, with Nassourdine Imavov’s recent win, there’s a chance he will get added to the mix. Anik believes the timing works in Imavov’s favor and sees a potential main event between Du Plessis and Imavov as a true title eliminator if Du Plessis loses to Strickland at UFC 312.
He said, “I think the timeline and the calendar pays out well for him. I think if Du Plessis loses to Strickland the result is conclusive. I think Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov in a Main Event are a true eliminator where there’s a title fight on the line.”
Dricus Du Plessis Declines Sean Strickland’s ‘Stand-Up’ Pact
As his title rematch draws closer, Strickland challenged DDP to stand and trade, insisting they give the fans an all-out fight. He pushed for a striking battle, hoping for a thrilling showdown. Du Plessis, however, wasn’t on the same page. When asked about Strickland’s callout, he quickly brushed it off, showing no interest in adjusting his strategy just to meet his opponent’s expectations.
He said, “If you want to make pacts about us just standing up, go do boxing… Sean Strickland knows a lot of one-liners to sound tough, but I expose fake tough guys… I’m not here to make pacts. I’m here to win.”
With tensions running high, this fight is shaping up to be an all-out war. One big question remains—will Alex Pereira’s presence in Sean Strickland’s corner give him a crucial edge in the rematch? His influence could play a key role in how Strickland approaches the fight.
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