YAWN! Dricus Du Plessis unimpressed by Khamzat's win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294

Khamzat Chimaev earns middleweight title shot with victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, leaving Dricus Du Plessis stranded.

Khamzat Chimaev has just achieved a remarkable feat by earning himself a shot at the middleweight title. In a thrilling co-main event at UFC 294, held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2023, Chimaev defeated former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a hard-fought battle that went the distance. Ultimately, Chimaev emerged victorious with a majority decision after three rounds of intense back-and-forth action.

This fight marked Chimaev's long-awaited return to the octagon since his submission win at UFC 279 over a year ago in Orlando, Florida. However, some may argue that his performance fell short of expectations, considering the overwhelming odds stacked against him and the immense hype surrounding his name.

In fact, middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis expressed his confidence in facing Chimaev, tweeting, "I'll make it look easy." Du Plessis was initially next in line for a shot at the 185-pound title. However, he turned down the opportunity to compete at UFC 293 in Sydney, which opened the door for Sean Strickland's stunning upset victory over then-champion Israel Adesanya.

Now, Du Plessis finds himself in a precarious position, unsure of what lies ahead. UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Du Plessis' future, stating, "I don't know where that puts him. It puts him fighting somebody. He'll end up fighting somebody."

Meanwhile, Chimaev remains focused on his own journey. Disappointed with the delays in receiving his title shot, he expressed his frustration, saying, "They promised me, like I said before, 'Gilbert Burns, if you win against this guy, you're gonna fight for the title.' Since then, I wait two years. I fight again as well but didn't get that title. So I don't know what's going on. I'm going after all heads in the UFC. If I finish everyone, stop everyone, they have to give me all belts."

With this victory, Chimaev's professional record now stands at an impressive 13-0. Speculation arises as to whether he will be matched up against Strickland in the first quarter of 2024. As for Usman, at 36 years old, he is expected to return to the welterweight division to focus on making another run at the title in that weight class.

In conclusion, Khamzat Chimaev's triumph over Kamaru Usman has catapulted him into the spotlight and earned him a shot at the middleweight title. While some may have expected a more dominant performance, Chimaev's win sets the stage for an exciting future in the UFC. Du Plessis, on the other hand, faces uncertainty as he navigates his next steps in the competitive landscape. Only time will tell how these storylines unfold, but one thing is certain – the world of mixed martial arts will continue to captivate fans with its thrilling battles and unpredictable outcomes.

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