Who Should Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis Face Next: Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev?

The UFC middleweight division is currently one of the most exciting weight classes in mixed martial arts. With fighters like Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Marvin Vettori making waves over the years, there’s no shortage of talent. But amidst all the well-established names, one fighter who has rapidly ascended the ranks is Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis. With an impressive streak of victories, du Plessis has placed himself on a collision course with the best in the division. But the burning question on everyone’s mind is: who should he face next?

While many fans and analysts are clamoring to see him fight reigning champion Israel Adesanya, two fighters stand out as the most likely candidates for du Plessis’ next big bout—Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev. Both are high-caliber athletes with unique styles that present their own challenges for the South African fighter.

In this article, we’ll dive into the potential matchup between du Plessis and each of these two fighters—Strickland and Chimaev—dissecting what makes each opponent dangerous and why the fight that gets booked could have massive implications for the middleweight division.

Why Sean Strickland Is a Natural Next Step for Dricus du Plessis

The Strickland Style: A Boxing Heavy, High-Pressure Game

Sean Strickland has been a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s middleweight division for several years. Known for his relentless pace and hard-hitting boxing style, Strickland’s approach to fighting is all about breaking his opponents down over time. His pressure-heavy game makes him difficult to deal with, as he forces his opponents to either stand and trade or risk being overwhelmed by his high-volume striking.

For Dricus du Plessis, this style presents a unique challenge. Du Plessis, known for his ferocious knockout power and aggressive nature, thrives in exchanges where he can close the distance and land heavy strikes. However, Strickland’s ability to maintain a relentless pace could make it difficult for du Plessis to settle into his rhythm. If Strickland’s pressure causes du Plessis to become too defensive, it could play into the hands of the experienced boxer, who has the gas tank and the striking to make a long fight difficult.

Moreover, Strickland’s defensive skills should not be underestimated. While he’s not necessarily known for his knockout power, his striking defense and ability to roll with punches allow him to stay in exchanges longer than many of his opponents. For du Plessis to make a statement, he’ll need to find a way to land clean, powerful strikes against Strickland’s sturdy defense.

The Mental Warfare and Confidence Factor

One of the most intriguing aspects of a potential Strickland vs. du Plessis matchup would be the mental game. Strickland has built a reputation for his psychological warfare, often engaging in trash talk and getting inside the heads of his opponents. While du Plessis is a naturally calm and collected fighter, facing someone as brash and unpredictable as Strickland could bring out new layers of his mental game.

Strickland thrives off of confidence, and his ability to taunt and push opponents mentally could lead to a clash of wills in the octagon. If du Plessis can remain composed under Strickland’s pressure, it could showcase a side of his game that has yet to be tested at the highest level.

However, if Strickland can get inside du Plessis’ head and force him to abandon his game plan, this could be the kind of psychological battle that Strickland excels at. The fight would undoubtedly be an exciting one, showcasing the clash of Strickland’s mental toughness and du Plessis’ physical dominance.

Why This Fight Makes Sense for Dricus “Stillknocks”

From a career perspective, a fight with Sean Strickland makes perfect sense for Dricus du Plessis. Strickland has recently earned himself a title shot, and a victory over him would give du Plessis the legitimacy to challenge for the belt. Strickland’s aggressive style would play into du Plessis’ strengths, providing him with an opportunity to show off his knockout power and ability to fight at the highest level.

Moreover, a win over Strickland would send a clear message to the middleweight division that Dricus du Plessis is ready to face anyone, including the current champion. As of now, the middleweight division is wide open, and du Plessis might just be a fight away from title contention.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Wildcard of the Middleweight Division

The Chimaev Phenomenon: A Fighter Who Is Both Dangerous and Unpredictable

On the other hand, a matchup between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev would be an entirely different animal. Khamzat Chimaev has taken the MMA world by storm with his incredible performances and unrelenting style. His ability to dominate opponents with both striking and grappling has made him one of the most dangerous fighters to watch. Unlike Strickland, who relies primarily on his striking, Chimaev blends his striking with elite-level grappling, making him a much more unpredictable threat.

Chimaev’s pressure style is similar to Strickland’s in many ways, but it is his wrestling game that sets him apart. While Strickland might try to keep the fight standing, Chimaev could easily mix in takedowns and clinch work, which would present a completely different challenge for du Plessis. One of Chimaev’s most frightening skills is his ability to dominate his opponents both physically and mentally—often breaking them with his pace and intensity. This could put du Plessis in a tough spot, as he’s often used to controlling the pace himself.

The Chimaev Advantage: The Wrestling Edge

Khamzat Chimaev’s most significant advantage over du Plessis would be his wrestling and grappling. Chimaev has demonstrated the ability to take down elite fighters with ease, controlling them on the ground and pounding them out with ground-and-pound. While du Plessis is a solid grappler in his own right, Chimaev’s ability to dictate where the fight takes place would likely make it difficult for du Plessis to keep the fight standing and find his striking range.

For du Plessis to beat Chimaev, he would need to utilize his judo and submission defense to prevent being taken down and overwhelmed on the ground. Chimaev’s pressure on the feet could also be dangerous, especially if he is able to close the distance quickly and use his size and strength to his advantage.

The Bigger Picture: A Title Shot or Just Another Roadblock?

Khamzat Chimaev has quickly become one of the most talked-about fighters in the world. While he has yet to fight for a title, his meteoric rise through the UFC ranks means that he’s very much in the title picture, and a fight against du Plessis could have title implications for both men. While du Plessis is on a hot streak and certainly a formidable contender, Chimaev’s trajectory in the division could make this fight the ultimate test for both fighters.

A win over Chimaev would be a statement for du Plessis, signaling to the world that he can overcome elite grapplers and dominate both in striking and in the clinch. It would also establish du Plessis as a serious threat to the champion, whether it’s Adesanya or someone else. However, it’s also possible that Chimaev’s wrestling could prove too much for du Plessis to handle, making this one of the most unpredictable matchups in recent memory.

Conclusion: Strickland or Chimaev?

Both Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev represent formidable challenges for Dricus du Plessis. On the one hand, Strickland offers a classic striking battle, where du Plessis’ knockout power could shine through, but he’d also have to deal with Strickland’s high-pressure, volume-based attack. On the other hand, Chimaev represents a much more unpredictable and multi-dimensional threat, with his combination of wrestling, striking, and pressure tactics making him a true wildcard in the middleweight division.

Ultimately, the question of who du Plessis should face next comes down to what type of challenge he’s ready for. Is he prepared to face the relentless striker in Sean Strickland, or is he more suited to the chaos that is Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling and striking blitz?

One thing is certain: no matter who Dricus du Plessis faces next, the fight will be a spectacle. Whether it’s Strickland or Chimaev, the UFC middleweight division has no shortage of intrigue, and Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis is primed to be a key player in the future of the division.