Dricus Du Plessis is well-aware of the inequalities in the fight game.
Du Plessis (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) delivered a decisive victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July, maintaining his flawless record within the octagon. Despite this, he was unable to secure a quick turnaround at UFC 293 due to a broken foot, and the title shot went to Sean Strickland instead after Du Plessis faced off with former champion Israel Adesanya in the cage.
Although Strickland claimed the middleweight title by defeating Adesanya, it seems Du Plessis won’t be his next opponent. Prior to UFC 294, where Kamaru Usman stepped in on short notice to face Khamzat Chimaev, Dana White labeled it as a No. 1 contender fight. Chimaev emerged as the victor, solidifying his position as the next challenger.
So where does that leave Du Plessis? Despite being overlooked, the South African fighter remains undeterred.
During an interview with Fox West Texas, Du Plessis stated, “I have one of two options. Firstly, Khamzat’s hand is broken, so he should be ready to fight in seven weeks or he forfeits his title shot, just like what happened to me when I wasn’t ready to fight in seven weeks with a broken foot.”
Although he believes he deserves the title shot, Du Plessis recognizes that the decisions of the UFC are beyond his control.
“It took me about a week to stop feeling sorry for myself and thinking this is unfair,” Du Plessis said. “Life isn’t fair, and the fight game is definitely not fair. I’ve decided to dominate the entire division and defeat the top five fighters, which will accelerate my move to light heavyweight. Right now, I won’t beg for a title shot. I’ve never begged for anything; I’ve always fought for it.”
Du Plessis was unimpressed by Chimaev’s victory over Usman. Despite a strong start in which Chimaev won a 10-8 round, Du Plessis believes he has lost his invincibility. He confidently stated, “If you want to give Khamzat the title shot, go right ahead. Because the Khamzat who fought this weekend would lose to Sean Strickland every day of the week.”
Click here to read the story originally published on MMA Junkie
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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