Dricus Du Plessis calls Strickland-Chimaev rematch talk “ridiculous” as middleweight title picture tightens

Dricus Du Plessis said the idea of a Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev rematch is “crazy,” and then went further, calling the scenario “ridiculous” in comments reported this week. His reaction speaks to a broader tension inside the UFC’s middleweight title picture: once the champion is crowned, contenders and matchmakers still have to answer the question of what comes next, and how quickly the division should cycle back to the biggest name-versus-name storyline.

At UFC 328, Strickland captured the UFC middleweight title with a split decision over Chimaev. According to the same report, Strickland’s mark heading into that fight was listed as 31-7 overall and 18-7 in the UFC, while Chimaev was listed at 15-1 overall and 9-1 in the UFC. Those numbers underline what the UFC has been aiming for in recent matchmaking, pairing a challenger who has moved through opponents rapidly with one of the division’s most recognizable, divisive figures.

Chimaev did not appear interested in waiting for a longer ladder. The report describes him as calling for a rematch immediately after the outcome at UFC 328. That request matters because it would not only affect the middleweight timeline, it would also shape how fans and fighters interpret what a title win “earns” in terms of time on the shelf before another high-profile fight gets inserted.

Du Plessis’ pushback, as presented in the report, was also tied to the reality that the middleweight contender group is not sitting still. The same article points to Nassourdine Imavov as another fighter positioned to challenge for the opportunity that comes with being the division’s next in line. In other words, even if a Strickland-Chimaev rematch would be commercially obvious, it would require the UFC to balance that against the competitive order in the weight class.

The UFC’s decision-making will be watched closely because middleweight is still in a phase where the rankings and momentum depend heavily on which matchups the promotion prioritizes. A quick rematch can stabilize interest, but it can also stall other contenders and prolong uncertainty around who truly owns the next title shot. Du Plessis’ comments suggest he believes the “logical” path should not be to replay a fight so soon, especially with other contenders ready to be part of the title conversation.

For now, Du Plessis’ best advantage is positioning. By speaking publicly against a rematch plan, he reinforces his standing as a champion who wants the next step to reflect more than just star power. If the UFC leans toward the rematch anyway, it could delay his own path to a first major defense. If the UFC instead keeps Imavov in view, it would indicate the promotion is willing to prioritize division-building over a faster-return blockbuster.

What to watch next is whether the UFC publicly confirms any middleweight planning beyond the immediate aftermath of UFC 328. The central storyline is not only whether a Strickland-Chimaev rematch happens, but also which contender the promotion elevates if it chooses not to rush that specific matchup again.

Beyond the matchmaking debate, Du Plessis’ stance also captures the sport’s recurring theme: champions are judged not just on their ability to win, but on whether they can influence the order of events that follows. His “ridiculous” characterization is less about one fight and more about the rules of access to the title, and that may end up defining the next chapter in a crowded middleweight landscape.