Dricus du Plessis Backs Sean Strickland to Defeat Nassourdine Imavov

Dricus du Plessis, a former UFC middleweight champion, anticipates Sean Strickland will again defeat Nassourdine Imavov.

Strickland recently regained the middleweight title, defeating Khamzat Chimaev despite being the underdog. His next fight is widely expected to be against contender Nassourdine Imavov.

Imavov has not lost since facing Strickland in January 2023, entering a rematch with six consecutive wins. His last victory was a knockout over Caio Borralho at UFC Paris.

Strickland has indicated a contract dispute with the UFC regarding a fight with Imavov next year. Their first bout was compelling, and Imavov's development since then makes a rematch highly anticipated.

However, du Plessis, who has faced Strickland twice, expects the outcome of a potential rematch to be similar to their first fight.

Dricus du Plessis Analyzes Sean Strickland's Path to Victory Against Nassourdine Imavov

Speaking with Fight Forecast, du Plessis shared his prediction for a Strickland vs. Imavov rematch.

"I honestly believe we’re going to look at the same result as the first one. I think Strickland’s going to go and walk forward," du Plessis stated.

"Imavov has the style of kind of hitting, running, hitting, and running, and he does a great job at that, he doesn’t get taken into a firefight. But Strickland, if he goes forward, that pressure is just going to always be such that you can’t let that guy go forward. Imavov’s style is very similar to Adesanya’s style. Strickland has proven that he has the antidote to that style. Pressuring, pressuring and his defense is so good.

“So even if he goes forward, he doesn’t get clipped with those shots because he keeps it safe, because he prioritises the defense,” du Plessis added. “So I honestly believe we’re going to hear ‘and still’.”