The middleweight division is possible in the best place where it has been for some time, there are several top candidates.
On August 16, Dricus Du Plessis wants to defend his middleweight title for the third time when he takes on Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 319 Main Event in Chicago.
The fight has been in the making for more than a year, since Du Plessis asked the UFC to match him against 'Borz' since he won the title, however, the visa problems of Chimaev to this point caused delays.
And if 'Stillnocks' can successfully hand over his first defeat ever, he plans to force Dana White to give him his plan to finally organize an event in Africa.
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Du Plessis praises middleweight, he believes that he is sharing similarities
In addition to talking about possible headliner from the very first UFC event in Africa, the South African has also discussed possible transfer to the light heavyweight division in the not so distant future.
Nevertheless, the 185LB division is potentially in the best that it has been for a while, where there are several contenders near the top who can earn a title shot with a victory in their next fight.
In September Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Paris, where the winner will probably fight for the next title.
Another competition that is now in a tear and comes behind the back of an impressive victory over Robert Whittaker is a former one championship Jager Reinier de Ridder.
Since he came to the promotion, De Ridder has won all four of his fighting and has now been arranged number five in the middleweight division.
And with that the Dutch hunter has attracted the attention of Du Plessis, who used to train with him.
“I love Reinier on a personal level, I trained with him and he was in the organization I fought here in South Africa, he is a good guy and a good hunter, there are similarities (between us), people think:” Oh, he will never do this, he looks terrible, “he has proven everyone,” said Pspleis.
“I think he has a way to still go and Robert Whittaker now does not deserve the title shot,” he went on.
Du Plessis not interested in combating Imavov vs Borralho winner
Although the South African champion believes that De Ridder has a victory before he gets a title shot, he also claimed that he is not very interested in combating the winner of the Main Event of UFC Paris.
“Imavov has put some work and Caio Borralho I judge him, I think he is a really good hunter. I think Borralho defeats Imavov … None of those fights makes me really enthusiastic,” said the champion.