If Dricus Du Plessis had his way, he’d be in defense of his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. Instead, Du Plessis now meets Sean Strickland again at the UFC 312 PPV headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The odd man out isn’t entirely happy about it and keeping the spirit of disses and callbacks alive.
The South African fighter recently went viral pulling a shark ashore. Team CIT Performance Institute’s Dricus Du Plessis has already begun prepping for his second title defense and joked about the stint online. Still expecting to challenge for gold soon, Khamzat Chimaev had stuff to air on his tricks.
2 dead fish in one photo.
Khamzat Chimaev via X (@khamzat_chimaev)
‘Tarzan’ was declared No. 1 seed after rebounding with a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302. But even Du Plessis disagrees with the matchmaking. As for Khamzat Chimaev, he’s been waiting on a title shot since his instant classic vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. He again got the promise vs. Kamaru Usman last year. His UFC 308 co-main event was a non-spoken No. 1 contender floater as well.
Comeback was weak as fuk
— Menu (@menitosavage) December 27, 2024
The Chechen ‘Borz’ often squabbles with Strickland, and he fires back. There’s also the rumor mill of him dominating Strickland while sparring. So, given the circumstances, it’s a probable hard pass he’d have momentum there even if he wins. However, fight fans took notice and have billed him calling it weak sauce as…well, ‘weak sauce’.
Fight fans react to Khamzat Chimaev dissing on Sharkboy Dricus Du Plessis before UFC 312 title rematch
Dricus Du Plessis beat Strickland by unanimous decision in January to snag the 185-pound strap with somewhat ease. After that, he made a maiden defense and went to war with another champ and proved his mettle. ‘Stillknocks’ is riding good on the tails of his gold and glory. However, without his title shot, Chimaev is waiting in the wings.
UFC fans react to Khamzat Chimaev (Source: X)Khamzat Chimaev has solid ground for bolstered confidence after he ran through Robert Whittaker with a first-round submission face-crank at UFC 308. The duo have been at it for long, with the South African fighter dissing at him for his habitual camp illness. Now, “Borz” keeps the to-and-fro alive with an out-of-pocket diss. Here is what fans think of it.
A shark isn’t a fish
— WackyGee (@WackyGeeYT) December 27, 2024
I thought he was into rabbitshttps://t.co/PkDnnWAvDV
— Knockout of the day (@KOofTheDAY) December 27, 2024
These guys need to save their back and forth for the future. DDP is fighting Sean next and not Khamzat. If DDP does beat Sean then this will be a huge title fight. Khamzats stock has never been higher IMO and he should’ve fought for the belt over Sean in the first place
— The Combat Sports Matrixer (@TheCSMatrixer) December 27, 2024
Weak ass comeback lol
— ₿ig Chappy Sats (@DonSatoshi3) December 27, 2024
That was a genuinely weak reply. I predict he’s the next to cry at a press conference
— MyNameIs (@MatsuMtawarira) December 28, 2024
This is going to be a fun build up to the fight😂
— UFC ✝️ (@teamkhamzat) December 27, 2024
A prominent reaction (@menitosavage) quipped that the “Comeback was weak.” While another one called it a “Genuinely weak comeback” compared to his ring demeanor. Others have told Chimaev to pocket his wishes for when he actually can bank on his shot. The fighter also recently poked at Strickland’s gun interest with snaps of his spoils from a hunt.
Du Plessis still sees Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) as a more intriguing fight. However, the UFC brass is not heavy on this just yet, around UFC 312. So up until then, Chimaev is out of luck and out of good roast materials for his array of middleweight rivals.
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