Picture this: the UFC middleweight division is like a rollercoaster ride that's gone off the rails, with top fighters scrambling for clarity on who's next in line for a shot at the gold. It's a thrilling mess, and fighter Dricus du Plessis is right in the thick of it, openly confused about his own standing and everyone else's. But here's where it gets controversial—du Plessis believes Nassourdine Imavov deserves that elusive title shot against champion Khamzat Chimaev, yet he slams the division's contenders for a glaring lack of reliability. Let's dive deeper into this tangled web and see what it means for the future of 185-pound battles.
Du Plessis, fresh off his loss to Chimaev at UFC 319, isn't holding back on his take. Right now, it looks like Imavov is leading the pack to challenge the newly crowned champ. Imavov just clinched a decision victory over the hot-streaking Caio Borralho, pushing his winning streak to an impressive five fights. Chimaev's debut defense, however, remains unannounced, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Du Plessis predicts this matchup will happen sooner rather than later, but he's skeptical about how fans will perceive Imavov's credentials.
"Imavov seems poised to get that title opportunity," du Plessis shared in an interview with Fight Forecast. "It feels like the logical next step for him to go after the belt. I reckon it'll be a compelling clash, and I'm betting on Khamzat to come out on top without a doubt.
"As for where I fit in? I'm honestly not sure. The whole division feels jumbled. Take the Imavov vs. Borralho bout—for instance, it spotlighted two potential challengers, and the victor emerges as a contender. But in my book, it wasn't a stellar showdown. There were flashes of brilliance from both, and I had Borralho pegged to win, but he simply didn't bring his A-game that night. Hats off to Imavov for capitalizing and securing the victory, but here's the kicker: right now, there isn't a single fighter consistently dominating. That's the real hurdle. How do you even choose a challenger when fighters deliver two fantastic performances, only to follow up with a lackluster one? The inconsistency is rampant, even though there are plenty of talented individuals out there. Thank goodness it's not my call to make the matches!"
After Chimaev's August triumph, it appeared there was a straightforward quartet vying for the first defense spot. Imavov triumphed over Borralho, while Anthony Hernandez and Reinier de Ridder were slated to shine in the UFC Vancouver main event. But injuries derailed Hernandez, and de Ridder stumbled in an upset against replacement Brendan Allen.
"The loss for de Ridder really shook things up," du Plessis reflected. "He seemed off his game completely. I respect him as a skilled, tough competitor with an unconventional style that I admire. But in that fight, he was lackluster—perhaps from fighting too frequently or struggling with repeated weight cuts. For a big guy like him, dropping weight often can take a serious toll on performance."
If Hernandez had stepped in and dazzled with a win, he might have jumped ahead of Imavov in the rankings. Hernandez had beaten Allen back in February and then dominated Roman Dolidze with a submission, extending his streak to eight wins in a row. To stay relevant, he'll need to push that to nine when he faces former middleweight king Sean Strickland at UFC Houston in February.
Chimaev might just have to bide his time until then to find out his next opponent.
"And don't forget Hernandez's originally planned clash with de Ridder—that would have been a blockbuster, a true spectacle," du Plessis added. "I've heard Strickland is set to battle Hernandez, and that's going to be electric. Strickland is tough to bring down, and even tougher to control once you're there."
And this is the part most people miss: in a sport where one big fight can redefine careers, consistency isn't just a buzzword—it's the backbone of championship contention. For beginners breaking into MMA analysis, think of it like this: Imagine a basketball player who scores 30 points in one game but zeros in the next; they might have star potential, but coaches prioritize reliability. Similarly, du Plessis is highlighting how the middleweight scene is packed with high-potential athletes who falter unpredictably, making it hard to crown a clear No. 1 challenger.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is du Plessis right to dismiss these contenders so harshly, or is Imavov's steady climb enough to earn him the shot? Some fans might argue that raw talent and recent wins trump consistency in a brutal sport like MMA, where a single knockout can change everything. Others could counter that without proving you can perform night after night, you're just a flash in the pan. What do you think—should the UFC prioritize fighters like Imavov who build streaks, or should they wait for someone to demonstrate unbreakable consistency? Does du Plessis deserve another crack at Chimaev soon, or is his own performance inconsistency holding him back? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or even your picks for the next big matchup!
TOP STORIES
Saga Part 1. Anthony Joshua vows not to hold back against Jake Paul: 'If I can kill you, I will kill you.' (https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/462086/anthony-joshua-wont-go-easy-on-jake-paul-if-i-can-kill-you-i-will-kill-you)
Saga Part 2. Tyson Fury calls out 'classless loser' Anthony Joshua for his bold claims about potentially killing Jake Paul. (https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/462123/tyson-fury-mocks-classless-loser-anthony-joshua-for-boasting-he-could-kill-jake-paul)
Saga Part 3. 'It’s my job': Anthony Joshua fires back at Tyson Fury's criticism following his kill-threat remarks. (https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/462201/its-my-job-anthony-joshua-responds-to-tyson-furys-criticism-after-saying-he-might-kill-jake-paul)
Busted. PFL champion Movlid Khaybulaev faces a one-year suspension due to a failed drug test. (https://www.mmafighting.com/pfl/462134/pfl-champion-movlid-khaybulaev-suspended-for-1-year-after-positive-drug-test)
Grappling. Arman Tsarukyan secures the ACBJJ title with a dramatic last-second submission. (https://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/462165/video-arman-tsarukyan-wins-acbjj-belt-with-last-minute-submission)
Advice. Tony Ferguson shares the wisdom he got from Brock Lesnar during his UFC struggles. (https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/462007/tony-ferguson-reveals-advice-he-received-from-brock-lesnar-amid-struggles-during-ufc-career)
Farewell. Veteran Ricardo Ramos, with 15 fights under his belt, is cut from the UFC roster along with four others. (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/462029/15-fight-veteran-ricardo-ramos-4-more-removed-from-ufc-roster)
VIDEO STEW
Intense staredowns between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua.
Highlights from the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua press conference.
An engaging interview with Tony Ferguson.
Michael Bisping's reaction to the Poatan rumor.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Check out that striking size difference!
Ouch, that must've hurt.
Merab Dvalishvili sparring with Dana White.
Arman Tsarukyan proudly handing his new belt to his father.
A controversial 10-8 scorecard for Dominick Cruz.
Philip Nover catching Santa Claus in a playful moment.
Well, this looks bad—let's not dive into spoilers just yet.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Honestly, I'm puzzled why DDP (Dricus du Plessis) has been sidelined for so long. He should jump back into the fray right away. It's not as if he suffered massive damage against Chimaev, and redeeming that performance could erase any lingering doubts from fans' minds. — Meshew
EXIT POLL
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