Du Plessis wants Chimaev after UFC 312, 'not rushing' Pereira fight

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 312.

The middleweight champion, who defended his title for the second time with a unanimous decision win over Sean Strickland on Saturday in Sydney, Australia, firmly believes his next fight should be against Chimaev.

"Khamzat's next," Du Plessis said at the postfight press conference. "Khamzat is next."

Du Plessis hinted at a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his postfight interview, but the 31-year-old South African said he wants to clean out the middleweight division before moving up in weight to fight for a second belt.

Du Plessis has held the 185-pound title since January 2023. There is no shortage of middleweights for him to fight, with the likes of Chimaev, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho all on the rise.

"I want to make sure ... that there is no question that I'm the GOAT of the middleweight division," Du Plessis said. "... I'm not rushing that my next fight is Alex Pereira. No, no, no. I want Khamzat next. I think he deserves a hiding."

Pereira, who is scheduled to make a 205-pound title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 213 in March, approached Du Plessis backstage after the event.

"We were walking down, Dricus had the belt, and Alex (went and said), 'I heard you calling me out?'" Pereira's coach, Plinio Cruz, told Full Send MMA. "(Du Plessis) goes, 'Yes.' And Alex said, 'Make it happen - at 205.'

"Dricus looked, thought a little bit, and said, 'Deal.' Let's see now if he runs back his words. ... Let's see the superfight happen."

Du Plessis said he has "the most respect" for Pereira and is eager to prove he can beat him when the time is right.

"I want to share the Octagon with that man," Du Plessis said. "I want to beat that guy. I've beaten (Israel) Adesanya, who's beaten him. I know I can beat him - and at 205 (pounds)."