Du Plessis and the Title Picture: The Middleweight Contradiction Exposed by Chimaev’s Next Move

du plessis is no longer the champion, yet his name still sits at the center of the UFC middleweight logjam—because the man who took his belt, Khamzat Chimaev, is signaling a very specific next step: “waiting for Strickland, ” while simultaneously inviting Colby Covington into a wrestling match outside the UFC.

What is Chimaev actually telling the public about his next fight?

Khamzat Chimaev has used social media exchanges to address two questions at once: whether he is injured and who he intends to face next. When asked directly if he was injured, Chimaev responded, “No, [I’m] waiting for Strickland. ” The statement is not an official bout announcement, but it is the clearest expression of preference in the current title picture, and it has intensified debate about whether the UFC’s next title fight will follow rankings, star power, or promotional momentum.

Sean Strickland responded publicly with an American flag and fist emoji, signaling readiness and interest. In the same window of attention, Chimaev also escalated a separate angle: after watching an RAF event in Arizona where Colby Covington appeared on stage and called out several potential opponents, Chimaev offered to face Covington in a future RAF event scheduled for March 28 in Tampa, Florida, writing: “Next RAF I will make American boy humble again… Colbiclown let’s go. ”

These two threads—an apparent UFC title-defense preference and a willingness to compete in a wrestling match—create a dual-track narrative: the champion is projecting availability while also courting an “outside the box” contest. For the public, the unresolved issue is whether the UFC middleweight championship timeline is being clarified or further blurred.

Where does Du Plessis fit into the current contradictions?

The contradiction begins with the fact pattern around the belt itself. Chimaev won the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Dricus du plessis last August, extending his record to 15 in the process. Strickland previously held the same title, then lost it to du plessis in January 2024, and later failed to recapture it from du plessis again in February 2025. Now, with du plessis no longer holding the belt, the division’s pecking order is still being argued through claims of “rightful” contention versus commercial pull.

Brendan Schaub, a former UFC fighter and MMA podcaster, made a case for Strickland to receive the next shot, framing Strickland as a rare “star” the promotion can build around. Schaub’s position was explicit: if viewers expect Nassourdine Imavov to receive the next title opportunity, they misunderstand how the business works. Schaub also pointed to Strickland’s prior win over Imavov—described as taking place on two-day notice—as part of his argument for why an Imavov title shot is less compelling in the immediate term.

At the same time, the ranking context cited places Strickland at third at middleweight, behind Imavov in second and Du Plessis in first. That’s where du plessis becomes a lingering tension point: ranked first while no longer champion, he remains an unavoidable reference in any conversation about who is “next, ” even as the champion publicly orients toward Strickland.

Why is Imavov sidelined despite being framed as the top contender?

Nassourdine Imavov is described as being widely considered the rightful number one contender for the middleweight title. Yet the publicly visible signals point elsewhere. Chimaev has shown little interest in facing Imavov, and the context presented attributes that reluctance to shared Russian ethnic ties. The same context also notes an existing rivalry tied to past sparring sessions, adding a personal dimension that complicates the otherwise straightforward logic of “top contender gets next. ”

Meanwhile, Strickland’s recent competitive momentum is part of the justification for a fast track. He scored an impressive knockout over Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in his most recent outing, and separately is described as earning a convincing win over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston last month. Either way, Strickland used the moment to call out Chimaev, producing public back-and-forth between the two.

The competitive and emotional language around this contender lane is also unusually stark. Imavov has publicly stated he has “hate in his heart” for Strickland and warned he would “leave him dead in the cage. ” The statement underscores how personal conflict is being staged alongside sporting legitimacy—while the champion’s stated preference continues to point away from Imavov and toward Strickland.

What do the wrestling-match callout and event speculation reveal about leverage?

Chimaev’s willingness to call for a wrestling match with Covington adds another layer: the champion appears comfortable generating headlines outside the octagon while waiting for a title defense opponent. The RAF angle matters because it places a potential high-profile grappling match on the calendar—March 28 in Tampa—at the same time the UFC title-defense timeline remains unannounced.

The public conversation has also drifted toward potential “special event” placement. There has been speculation about the Chimaev-Strickland fight occurring at a special UFC event at the White House. Chimaev previously expressed doubt that a Russian fighter would be welcome at such an event, while Strickland once said he didn’t want to fight in front of “the Epstein list. ” These are not confirmations of venue or scheduling; they are signals that politics, optics, and branding are being pulled into the matchmaking discourse.

What is verified: no official date or venue has been announced for Chimaev vs. Strickland. What is also verified: both fighters have now publicly expressed interest through social media exchanges, and UFC CEO Dana White has been teasing several high-profile title fights in recent weeks, creating an expectation that the middleweight title picture could be part of that slate.

Accountability check: what’s confirmed, and what remains unresolved?

Verified facts from the public record described here: Khamzat Chimaev has stated he is healthy and “waiting for Strickland. ” Chimaev has also called out Colby Covington for a wrestling match at an upcoming RAF event scheduled for March 28 in Tampa, Florida. Chimaev won the middleweight title by defeating Dricus du plessis last August. Strickland has publicly engaged Chimaev after calling him out, and Strickland’s recent win over Anthony Hernandez has been cited as strengthening his claim. Nassourdine Imavov is framed as a leading contender, while Chimaev’s interest appears directed elsewhere. No official date or venue for a Chimaev-Strickland title fight has been announced.

Informed analysis, clearly labeled: The middleweight division is experiencing a credibility gap between rankings logic and promotional logic. du plessis remains a pressure point in that gap because his presence at or near the top of the rankings collides with the champion’s stated preference and the promotion’s apparent appetite for a bigger spotlight fight. If the UFC intends to prioritize a clear merit-based path, it will need to explain how that path is being applied in a way the public can follow; if it intends to prioritize star power, it will need to be transparent about that, too.

Either way, the immediate demand is simple: clarity. The champion has made his preference public, challengers have made their claims public, and du plessis remains the name that exposes the contradiction between formal ordering and actual momentum—until the UFC formally states what comes next for du plessis and the belt.