When Dricus Du Plessis returns, this will be a UFC middleweight candidate since 2023 for his first fight.
Last Saturday, Du Plessis was a pay-per-view-line-up at the top for the fourth time in a row. He arrived 3-0 in that category in Chicago, after he had defeated Sean Strickland twice and Israel Adesanya in numbered event headliners.
But that undefeated run and its perfect promotional record is no longer after what unfolded at UFC 319. Du Plessis was dominated by Khamzat Chimaev, who attacks more than 21 minutes of the control time and a record 529 on the way to a divorce loss decision.
After the map in the United Center, much of the focus was on what awaits us for the newly crowned middleweight king. But an ex-PUC star recently thought about the future of the Nu formator champion.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
Dan Hardy raises Anthony Hernandez as the next opponent for Dricus du Plessis
Although it is one of the longest reigning active champions of the promotion prior to UFC 319, the one -sided nature of the loss of Du Plessis against Chimaev seems to have taken an immediate rematch off the table.
With that in mind 'Borz' probably looks at other contenders, including the most important is Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. The couple will meet each other in the Main Event of UFC Paris, a Vechtchimaev says that it is “sure” an eliminator.
If the winner gets the next shot, it would consider a few other top candidates their next movements in Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez.
Former welterweight title -Uitdager Dan Hardy pointed to the last as the perfect opponent for the first fight of Du Plessis after losing the title in a matte affair at UFC 319.
“Hernandez, maybe that is the right next step for (du plessis) and” fluffy, “Hardy said during an appearance on Submissieradio.
“I think the scrambling capacity of Du Plessis would be more problematic for the style of Hernandez. I also think that Hernandez would be much more willing to scrape the feet.
“It would be a nice five-rounder if they could get it in five rounds,” Hardy added.
“Hernandez is probably a good choice. He is on the road. (Tell him) a former champion, see if he is ready.”
Anthony Hernandez thinks he can 'drown' Khamzat Chimaev
While beating Du Plessis would certainly go a long way to secure Hernandez a first title shot, 'Fluffy' has set up his claim for an immediate opportunity.
After a view of the first row of the UFC 319 Main Event, Hernandez called for the Chimaev fight. The American was far from coordinated by the dominance of the new champion in Chicago, and claimed that he could 'drown' Chimaev with his renowned cardio.
“Congratulations to him, it was a pretty f – boring fight, not going to lie,” Hernandez told ESPN Deportes. “But man, call me before the fight.
“I can struggle, I can do jiu-jitsu, I can stop all s and I can close it, and with my Gastankman, I will drown him, I promise.”
Hernandez has won eight fights in a row to claim himself in title, most recently in a dominant way against Roman Dolidze in their Apex Main event earlier this month.