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This Morning’s MMA News In Short: Dricus wants Khamzat next: ”I think the whole world wants to see it”
Photo: Stefan Romare
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Dricus wants Khamzat next: ”I think the whole world wants to see it”
Reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis believes undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev should be his next title defense. Especially considering that du Plessis already beat Sean Strickland, who he’s likely to face early next year.
“We always knew between Rob and Khamzat if there was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” du Plessis told RadioRaps.
“We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited, taking somebody’s 0. I’ve beaten Strickland before, and I know I’ll beat him again. Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited.”
Kamaru Usman intrigued by Chimaev. vs du Plessis
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who fought Khamzat Chimaev a year ago, is intrigued by a possible matchup between ”Borz” and Dricus du Plessis.
“Khamzat is hell in that first round,” Usman said on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “He is hell when he’s dry like that, and he’s big and strong, and he still moves like a welterweight. It’s hell for anybody. Do I think he can do that to Dricus? I think 100 percent he could take Dricus down.”
“I think he can keep him down, but I don’t know if he can get the finish because Dricus is very, very tough. There’s a reason Dricus is the champ. He’s very tough, and Dricus will not stop trying. Will Khamzat take him down? Yes. Could he keep him down? Yes, maybe the whole first round. But can he finish him? I don’t know.”
Rose Namajunas could be one big win from a title shot
Saturday’s fight presents a big opportunity for former UFC champion Rose Namajunas. If she defeats Erin Blanchfield convincingly she might fight for a title in 2025.
However, Manon Fiorot, who beat Namajunas a while back, will most likely be next to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight strap.
“If she (Fiorot) wins the belt, then that would be great to fight her again or even have that dream matchup with Valentina one day. I’d be excited to see them fight, but if the UFC wanted to put me ahead of that with a very spectacular performance, I’d be open to that, as well.”
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