Dricus du Plessis believes Sean Strickland clearly beat Khamzat Chimaev in their UFC 328 main event.
Strickland won by split decision, with Round 5 being the deciding factor, on September 16, 2023.
What happened?
The fight took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with Strickland pulling off a big upset.
He dethroned Chimaev to become the new middleweight champion, improving his record to 31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC.
Chimaev's record now stands at 15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC, following the loss.
Why it matters for Dricus du Plessis
Du Plessis thinks Strickland did what most people thought he couldn't do, being better all-around than Chimaev.
He also believes the loss could be a turning point for Chimaev, who may need to adapt his fighting style.
Chimaev initially considered moving up to light heavyweight but has since called for a rematch against Strickland.
What comes next?
Du Plessis isn't keen on an immediate rematch for Chimaev, citing his lack of title defenses.
He thinks Chimaev's next move will be interesting to watch, given his inconsistent statements about his plans.
Du Plessis will look to re-enter the title picture in his next fight, potentially setting up a matchup against Strickland.
The middleweight division is heating up, with several contenders vying for a shot at the title.
Du Plessis's comments provide insight into the mindset of a top contender in the division.
He has experience fighting against both Strickland and Chimaev, giving him a unique perspective on their skills.
The UFC 328 main event was a closely contested fight, with the media scores on MMA Decisions almost split dead even.
Du Plessis's thoughts on the fight are valuable, given his expertise as a UFC MMA athlete.