“I don’t believe a victory alone can be enough,” Du Plessis told reporters at the UFC OKC media day<\/a>. “I think my resume, definitely, but I don’t believe just a victory over Usman necessarily gives me a title shot, and the same for him. The performance. Going out there and putting on a performance that eliminates any doubt that I’m the best in the world, that’s what’s going to guarantee me a shot at that title.”<\/p>\n Du Plessis very much respects merit in the division and said Nassourdine Imavov<\/a> deserves the next title shot at Strickland. However, he knows how the promotion operates, and wouldn’t find it surprising if he passes over the Frenchman. Imavov is the only one in the weight class he considers a competitor for the shot at the champ. The idea of former champion Khamzat Chimaev<\/a> getting an immediate rematch against Strickland is one he finds ridiculous.<\/p>\n “There should only be one opinion,” Du Plessis said when asked about Chimaev’s call for a rematch. “Between the two of them, they have an amazing zero title defenses. So how do you warrant a rematch? In that case, I have two, so give me a rematch then. I have two wins over the current champion. It makes zero sense.”<\/p>\n Du Plessis hasn’t fought since losing his belt to Chimaev in August 2025. Prior to losing his belt, Du Plessis was on an 11-fight winning streak that spanned six years. Du Plessis owns two decision wins over Strickland, who recently took the belt from Chimaev.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/90745493007-hm-aplema-4-a-aw-b-kk.jpeg\")