Dricus Du Plessis reveals how close Khamzat Chimaev came to getting UFC 312 title shot

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev was in consideration for his next title defense.

Instead, Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will run things back with Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) in the UFC 312 headliner Feb. 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was touted as the potential No. 1 contender when he quickly submitted former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. Du Plessis was excited about the opportunity to hand Chimaev his first loss but acknowledges that fans were previously eager to see him fight Strickland again after their tightly contested affair at UFC 297.

“The Khamzat fight would have been a lot bigger in my opinion and more exciting,” Du Plessis told Fox Sports Australia. “I haven’t done it before. I haven’t seen it before. He’s unbeaten, but Strickland is an absolute beast in the octagon. This fight’s going to be a banger again, and I can’t wait.”

So, was Du Plessis ever offered Chimaev by the UFC?

“It was on the table, for sure,” Du Plessis said. “We talked about it, but it wasn’t from my side or from his side where the fight didn’t happen. I think there was some issues with the UFC and Khamzat, I’m not sure. And timing.

“I think timing also played a big role. But there were conversations, and I said that’s the fight that I want, so let’s do it, and they couldn’t make it happen. So, Strickland is the fight they did.”

If Du Plessis gets past Strickland again, he’ll have his sights set on Chimaev.

“Rumor has it that Khamzat will be in attendance for the fight against Strickland now on the 8th of February,” Du Plessis said. “I don’t know how true that is, but if that’s the case, I guess that’s going to be the next fight. I’m going to beat Sean Strickland, and then Khamzat will be next.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.