Dricus Du Plessis, the former UFC Middleweight champion, is set to return to the octagon this weekend for the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. His opponent will be Kamaru Usman, a former Welterweight champion, marking Du Plessis' first appearance since his title loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Since then, the Middleweight division has seen a dramatic shift, with Chimaev no longer holding the title and Sean Strickland now reigning as the 185-pound champion.
Du Plessis has a strong argument against a Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch. He points out that both fighters have an impressive zero title defenses between them, which raises questions about the necessity of a rematch. Du Plessis, who has two wins over Strickland and defended his title twice, believes that his performance and resume should be the primary factors in determining his future title shot.
In his own words, Du Plessis states, "I don’t believe a victory alone can be enough. I think my resume, definitely, but I don’t believe just a victory over Usman necessarily gives me a title shot, and the same for him. The performance. Going out there and putting on a performance that eliminates any doubt that I’m the best in the world, that’s what’s going to guarantee me a shot at that title."
Du Plessis suggests that Nassourdine Imavov should be Strickland's next opponent, a view shared by Strickland himself. This pairing would set up an intriguing fight, with both fighters having strong cases for a title shot. The Middleweight division is now loaded with contenders, and the UFC has several options to consider.
The potential rematch between Chimaev and Strickland, the Imavov vs. Strickland fight, Du Plessis' return to the championship mix, and Usman's potential impact all add layers of complexity to the division. As Du Plessis argues, the focus should be on performance and the overall strength of the fighters' resumes rather than simply granting rematches.
The upcoming UFC Oklahoma City event promises to be a pivotal moment in the Middleweight division, with the potential to reshape the landscape of the division and determine the future of its champions.
