Is the South African Champ Ducking Pereira or Playing the Smart Game?

Sydney, Australia — Fresh off a dominant victory at UFC 312, Dricus du Plessis made it clear: he’s gunning for Khamzat Chimaev before setting his sights on Alex Pereira. With the UFC middleweight title around his waist, Du Plessis is not content with just being the champion—he wants to prove that he is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the division.

Du Plessis Dismantles Strickland at UFC 312

Du Plessis entered the Octagon with one mission—to destroy Sean Strickland and put their rivalry to rest. And that’s exactly what he did.

“To go out there and beat him at his own game was a big, big priority,” Du Plessis told reporters, including Cageside Press, at his post-fight scrum. “Because to go out there and fight the same fight as in Toronto, I could have done the exact same thing. But I didn’t.”

The fight saw both men opting to strike rather than wrestle. Strickland, known for his toughness, surprisingly stuck to a stand-up war—something that played right into the champion’s hands. Du Plessis expected Strickland to adjust his game plan, perhaps incorporating more wrestling, but that adjustment never came.

“I thought he would try to wrestle more, but it never really happened. He tried at some stage, but by then, it was too late,” Du Plessis explained.

Breaking Strickland’s Nose—A Defining Moment

One of the most brutal moments of the fight came when Du Plessis shattered Strickland’s nose, leaving his opponent bleeding heavily. The damage was evident as Strickland kept touching his face, seemingly in disbelief at the extent of his injury.

“That was a big win for me tonight, and it was a big performance. When I got his nose, I smelled blood,” Du Plessis admitted. “I didn’t stay calm at that moment, but I quickly got back to where I needed to be.”

Despite the gruesome injury, Strickland survived, refusing to go down. But the damage was done—the South African had left no doubt about his dominance.

Du Plessis Has a New Target—Khamzat Chimaev

With Strickland out of the way, Du Plessis is shifting his focus to an even more dangerous threat: Khamzat Chimaev. The undefeated Chechen fighter has been calling for a UFC title shot, and Du Plessis is ready to grant him the opportunity—on one condition: Chimaev must prove himself.

“Khamzat’s first. I said, ‘please beat Ankalaev.’ No hate against Ankalaev, I just want to beat Alex Pereira. But Khamzat is next,” Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis sees Pereira as a legacy fight, but first, he wants to eliminate any doubts about his dominance at 185 pounds. Chimaev presents a unique challenge, but the South African champion is confident in his ability to shut him down.

Legacy Over Title Defenses—The GOAT Debate

Du Plessis isn’t just looking to hold onto the belt—he wants to make history and cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest.

“I want to make sure that there’s no question I’m the GOAT of the middleweight division. Anderson Silva is the GOAT in my mind. Adesanya has done incredible things. But it’s not just about title defenses, it’s about who you fight, how you win, and in what period of time you do it.”

With Chimaev and Pereira in his crosshairs, Dricus du Plessis is building a legacy of destruction. The South African wrecking machine is ready to take on all challengers—and leave no doubts behind.