Dricus Du Plessis believes Sean Strickland has a genuine shot at dethroning Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 β and he's speaking from experience having faced both men.
Du Plessis, who lost the UFC middleweight title to Chimaev at UFC 319 last August, appeared on SA Boxing Talk this week and offered his candid assessment of the May 9 main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
I honestly believe Strickland can land that fight," Du Plessis said. "It's a fight that makes the most sense right now. I believe Strickland in the striking definitely beats Khamzat for sure."
He was careful not to overlook Chimaev's wrestling, however.
Khamzat is a problem to deal with when he has you on your back β we've seen that many times. But I think Strickland has a very good chance in that fight.
Du Plessis Questions Whether Chimaev Can Adapt
Du Plessis expressed doubt that Chimaev can evolve his game the way a champion typically needs to over multiple defenses.
I don't think he has the ability to change," Du Plessis said. "I don't think he has the ability to become a striker or even just match any good striker. He doesn't. I was in there with him striking β it's not a fight.
He added that Chimaev's success against him came down to execution, not versatility.
He implemented his game plan a lot better, and he won the fight fair and square. It wasn't controversial. But he was better at 10% of this game than me β and now I know it, and I've been working on it.
Du Plessis Still Wants the Rematch
Du Plessis called Chimaev's approach against him "a pretty cowardly game plan" and made clear he believes a second fight would go differently.
The second time will be a way different result β I know that for a fact," he said. "25 minutes is not a lot of time to adapt that quickly on the fly.
He also acknowledged some ambivalence about a rematch being his next step.
I know Khamzat and I kind of don't want to fight each other β I'm not really excited for that fight. Not a lot of people are.
Strickland, who earned his title shot with a knockout of Anthony Hernandez in February, faces Chimaev (15-0) when the champion makes his first title defense at UFC 328 on May 9.