UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis insists he is not "unhappy" about the promotion's decision regarding his next challenger.
During this past weekend's pay-per-view broadcast, it was announced that Du Plessis will return to Australia — the site of his successful first defense against Israel Adesanya in August — to headline UFC 312 at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.
Against him will be former champ Sean Strickland, who staked his claim for a chance at redemption opposite the man who dethroned him this past January when he outpointed Paulo Costa in a lackluster affair four months later. But while his shot has ultimately come to fruition, there was some doubt prior to the recent reveal.
The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev ran through Robert Whittaker in quick time at UFC 308 in October, garnering support for his claim to the next opportunity at Du Plessis' belt. Even the champ himself made it clear that he favored a first-time clash with "Borz."
But although that evidently fell on deaf ears, the South African says he's more than happy to beat whomever the UFC places in front of him.
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"Just for clarification, I preferred the Khamzat fight but the rematch is a fight most wanted before Khamzat vs (Whittaker)," Du Plessis wrote on X. "I’m not unhappy with the UFC’s decision. Like I said, I’ll fight the man fans think is the next best guy he was promised the fight so Strickland it is."
He did, however, reiterate his belief that Strickland is not truly deserving of the shot at UFC 312 in response to a commenter.
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"I have to agree with you on that one"
After falling on the right side of a split decision to capture the crown at Strickland's expense in Canada, "Stillknocks" continued to prove his doubters wrong by submitting former two-time champ Adesanya at UFC 305.
Du Plessis will now look to secure a more definitive victory over Strickland to extend his lead in their rivalry to 2-0, before likely turning attention to Chimaev later in the year.