Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is hoping to by some means reclaim a rematch against Khamzat Chimaev in April.
The pair of UFC middleweights clashed for the title back in August last 12 months when Khamzat Chimaev dominated the South African for five rounds to turn out to be the brand new champion.
Since then, each ‘Stillknocks’ and Chimaev have been inactive, because the Chechen plots his first middleweight title defense.
And although Dricus Du Plessis will likely need to select up a minimum of one win before he’s reconsidered for one more title fight, he’s hopeful that he can reclaim the 185lb strap.
Du Plessis goals to make Chimaev fight ‘his fight’ in potential rematch
At this point, it seems likely that ‘Borz’ will make the primary defense of his title against Nassourdine Imavov, who’s currently ranked number two within the division.
Nevertheless, ‘Stillknocks’ is hoping that he may find a way to alter the UFC’s plans and he’s audaciously hoping for a title rematch against Chimaev in April.
Of their first meeting, ‘Borz’ dominated the South African together with his smothering wrestling skill set, and although Du Plessis was unhappy with the best way by which he lost his title, he knows that’s what Chimaev brings to the cage.
“Fighting Khamzat again is in fact what I’m after, am I expecting any surprises, no,” Du Plessis told Fight Forecast.
“There’s not going to be any surprises, that’s the best way he’s gonna fight and if he tries anything different it would be a terrible night (for him). He did what he needed to do to win the belt, and we are able to’t hate on him for that,” he continued.
And despite his wrestling and grappling defense having come into query against Chimaev, Du Plessis plans to make ‘Borz’ fight his fight in a possible rematch.
“Now it’s my responsibility to go and fix that, to stop him from doing that again and getting him to fight my fight.”
Du Plessis wary that his next fight is crucial of his life
Although his loss against Chimaev was the primary of his UFC tenure, the 32-year-old is wary that his next outing is crucial fight of his life.
The South African is targeting a return in April and he knows that if he was to unfortunately lose that outing, it might be an enormous climb for him to get back into title contention.
“We want to repair some things, obviously, and I spend time now doing that. But like I said, I’ll be ready for April. I’d like to be on that April card, the Miami card, there’s no opponent yet but I’m able to go again and get my belt back.
“I’d in fact like it to be Khamzat and redeem that loss but for me straight away, the subsequent fight is crucial fight of my life.”