Dricus Du Plessis Gears Up for Title Fight

As Dricus Du Plessis gears up for his highly anticipated middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in February, the South African fighter has taken a moment to poke fun at his fellow competitor, Khamzat Chimaev, ranked #3 in the division.

Adventurous Outings During Training

During the festive season, Du Plessis has been balancing intense training with some adventurous outings, including fishing off the stunning South African coast. In a recent social media post, he shared a series of thrilling images showing him wrestling with a massive shark near Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape, captioned: “Brought in some new training partners for camp, this one didn’t make the cut.”

Playful Banter with Fans

The post sparked a flurry of playful banter among fans and supporters. When one fan humorously advised Du Plessis to steer clear of kissing the shark, he wittily responded, “No way, that’s what Khamzat tried, and look how that turned out.”

Eagerness to Face Chimaev

Du Plessis has been vocal about his eagerness to face Chimaev in the octagon. In a previous interview with MainEventTV, he revealed that discussions had indeed taken place regarding a potential bout against Chimaev at UFC 312, instead of the current matchup with Strickland. “I think most people wanted to see that Khamzat fight, myself included,” he stated. “[A fight against Khamzat] was on the table for sure... there were conversations.”

The Story Behind Chimaev's Scar

But what’s the story behind Khamzat Chimaev's scar that seems to provoke so much attention? Contrary to popular speculation, it didn’t originate from an epic showdown with a shark. Chimaev explained in a past interview with SportBible that the scar is a result of a childhood accident. At just two years old, he took a tumble down a staircase, causing severe injury. “I had a ripped lip; a couple of my teeth were knocked out and I also broke my nose,” he recounted. This unfortunate incident has left him with lingering effects, as he revealed, “I still can’t breathe from my right nostril.”

Looking Ahead to Future Clashes

With Du Plessis focused on his impending title fight and the possibility of a future clash with Chimaev lingering in the backdrop, fans are undoubtedly eager to see how this rivalry unfolds in the octagon. What will happen when the UFC powerhouse finally faces off? Only time will tell!