{"id":811318,"date":"2026-07-20T02:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T02:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/811318\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T02:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T02:04:16","slug":"nassourdine-imavov-responds-to-dricus-du-plessis-hes-still-fighting-remark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/811318\/","title":{"rendered":"Nassourdine Imavov Responds To Dricus Du Plessis’ “He’s Still Fighting?” Remark"},"content":{"rendered":"

This past weekend at UFC Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis returned to winning ways in pure dominant fashion by beating Kamaru Usman<\/a> by unanimous decision. <\/p>\n

During the post-fight<\/a> presser, Du Plessis took a lighthearted jab at the No. 3-ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov.<\/p>\n

The South African fighter believes that the current and two-time 185-pound titleholder, Sean Strickland<\/a>, is not on his level since he has already beaten \u201cTarzan\u201d twice. He then added during the post-fight presser:<\/p>\n

\u201c[These guys are not on my level since] I beat him [Sean Strickland] twice, and I don\u2019t even know if [Nassourdine ]Imavov is still fighting. Is he? He\u2019s still fighting? Imavov.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Dricus du Plessis<\/a>\u2018 comments below:<\/p>\n

Dricus Du Plessis says he didn’t even know Nassourdine Imavov was still fighting. \u2620<\/p>\n

” I didn’t even know if Imavov was still fighting\u2026 is he? He’s still fighting?” \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n

via: UFC pic.twitter.com\/j6Cvw4iBhD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Imavov could be the next UFC middleweight title challenger. \u201cThe Sniper\u201d is riding a five-fight win streak and is eager to run it back with \u201cTarzan,\u201d who beat him in 2023.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, seemingly responding to Dricus du Plessis\u2019 above comments, Imavov posted on X:<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax \ud83e\udd71\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Nassourdine Imavov\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

Dana White comments on if Dricus du Plessis has done enough to earn the next title shot<\/p>\n

At the UFC Oklahoma City post-fight presser, Dana White was asked if Dricus du Plessis\u2019 dominant win<\/a> over Kamaru Usman was enough to make him the next title challenger. White lauded \u201cStillknocks\u201d but made it clear that the matchmakers have not yet decided who Sean Strickland will face next.<\/p>\n

Check out Dana White\u2019s comments below:<\/p>\n

Strickland could run it back with former champion Khamzat Chimaev<\/a>, who\u2019s hell-bent on securing the title match at all costs. Nassourdine Imavov could also be the next title challenger. He has openly expressed his frustration over not getting a title shot.<\/p>\n

Du Plessis also likes the idea of a potential Strickland vs. Imavov bout, after which he wants to lock horns with Strickland and beat the latter a third time to get his strap back. He told Full Send MMA:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows I have all the respect in the world for him [Sean Strickland]. In a different life, I might even call us friends. Fight Imavov and get a title defense; he earned that, and after that I\u2019ll come and take my belt back\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Dricus Du Plessis\u2019 comments below:<\/p>\n

Dricus Du Plessis sends a message to Sean Strickland<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows I have all the respect in the world for him, in a different life I might even call us friends. Fight Imavov and get a title defense, he earned that and after that I\u2019ll come and take my belt back\u201d pic.twitter.com\/hCi3Tqoipj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n