Dricus Du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev beating ‘wasn’t a fight’ and Sean Strickland was tougher

Dricus Du Plessis has claimed that he didn’t feel like he was in a fight when he faced Khamzat Chimaev last August.

The previous middleweight champion was utterly dominated in what was ultimately something of a bore back in August within the predominant event of UFC 319. Chimaev took control together with his takedowns but never appeared to push for the finish as he claimed the title and stayed undefeated.

Who wins within the predominant event of UFC 328 on May 9?

Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev finally get the prospect to settle their bitter feud at Prudential Center, can the American beat the champ?

Du Plessis as an alternative ranks the likes of Israel Adesanya – whom he submitted – as his best opponent. And he sees his wars with Sean Strickland as tougher tests, despite winning each and even breaking the American’s nose of their rematch.

Dricus Du Plessis dismisses Khamzat Chimaev when naming hardest opponents

Asked in an interview with Fight Forecast who his hardest opponent thus far was and why, it will have appeared that Khamzat Chimaev was the plain answer for Dricus Du Plessis. However the South African explained that he barely counts that fight given how severe the defeat was.

“One of the best guy for me that I’ve fought – obviously the Khamzat fight was one which I lost pretty significantly – but that wasn’t a fight, I mean,” he replied. “So taking that one which’s an obvious answer out of the equation, Adesanya was the most effective guy that I’ve faced.

“Just when it comes to the whole lot that he did, man. His timing, the speed, the facility he kicks with, even takedown defense-wise, the whole lot, he was the most effective technical guy that I’ve ever faced. Hardest guy needs to be Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland.

“It just needs to be when it comes to the quantity of shots they took and just kept standing. Strickland more so takes the punches but rolls with it. Tavares took some solid shots but he just kept standing so it’s between the 2 of those.”

Chimaev and Strickland are set to do battle next month at UFC 328 in a bitter grudge match on the Prudential Center in Newark. Meanwhile Du Plessis has yet to book a comeback as we approach a 12 months since he lost his belt in Chicago.