Dricus du Plessis jokes about Khamzat Chimaev fight ahead of Usman clash

Dricus du Plessis has turned his UFC title loss to Khamzat Chimaev into a joke ahead of his return to the octagon. The South African middleweight faces Kamaru Usman this weekend in Oklahoma City, but first, he shared a humorous take on his defeat to Chimaev last August.

What did Dricus du Plessis say about Khamzat Chimaev?

Du Plessis was asked how aspiring fighters could convince their parents to let them train in MMA. His response referenced his five-round loss to Chimaev, which ended his unbeaten UFC streak and cost him the middleweight title. "Show them me vs Chimaev and they will let you fight immediately, that’s boring as hell," he said. "Let them watch that, if they don’t fall asleep then he’s not allowed."

The joke highlights the wrestling-heavy approach Chimaev used to control their August 2025 title fight. It was Du Plessis’ first UFC defeat after nine straight wins, including victories over Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya.

Why is this fight important for Dricus du Plessis?

Du Plessis now faces former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on July 18 at UFC Fight Night 281. The bout is a chance for the South African to reset after his loss to Chimaev and reassert himself as a top middleweight contender.

A win would put Du Plessis back in the title picture, with the current champion being Sean Strickland. Usman, meanwhile, is looking to make an immediate impact in a new weight class after a long reign at 170 pounds.

What comes next for Dricus du Plessis?

Du Plessis enters the fight with a 23-3 record, while Usman is 21-4. Both fighters share a common opponent in Chimaev, who defeated Usman in October 2023 before taking the middleweight title from Du Plessis.

The South African is determined to prove his loss to Chimaev was just a setback. "I don’t think JUST a victory will be enough," he said. "A performance that eliminates any doubt that I’m the best in the world gets me a title shot."

The fight will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with both men listed at 185 pounds and a 76-inch reach. Usman’s last fight was a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025.