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Dricus Du Plessis Questions Chimaev's Title Shot Credibility
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis voiced his skepticism about Khamzat Chimaev’s position in the title shot conversation. Du Plessis, known for his frankness and competitive spirit, didn’t hold back when discussing Chimaev’s standing in the division.
“I would love to fight Khamzat. Nobody’s beaten him, and he was almost like the boogeyman of this division,” Du Plessis said. Despite his eagerness for the bout, the South African fighter expressed his disappointment that the fight never materialized. “Let’s be honest, I was a bit disappointed that fight didn’t happen. not that surprised, to be honest. I didn’t expect it, but you kind of have to at this stage – expect something to happen.”
Du Plessis's sympathy for Chimaev was evident, reflecting on his own experiences with fight cancellations and setbacks. “I’m feeling sorry for the guy. I know what it feels like. I’ve been on that side of the area of not being able to fight and it sucks,” he added. Yet, his empathy did not cloud his judgment on what he sees as an unjustified hype.
“Right now, it just doesn’t even make sense to talk about it. You know, he hasn’t fought one single ranked middleweight – not one – and to even put him in that conversation right now seems like we’re wasting time talking about it,” Du Plessis stated firmly. “He’s not in the run, and up until he proves that he deserves to be in that run, there’s no use in talking about it.”
Du Plessis's comments highlight a growing sentiment among some fighters and fans who believe that Chimaev, despite his impressive undefeated record and dominant performances, has yet to prove himself against the elite of the division. As the middleweight division continues to heat up, the South African's stance adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing debates about who truly deserves a shot at the title.
Whether Chimaev can silence his critics and earn his place among the top contenders remains to be seen. But for now, Du Plessis is clear: the path to the title should be earned through rigorous competition, not hype. Fight.Tv wants to know, what do you think?
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