Du Plessis picks Strickland as toughest rival and explains why he didn’t choose Chimaev
Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images Dricus du Plessis has offered a surprising take on the toughest opponent of his career, despite suffering a decisive loss in his most recent outing. The former champion was beaten by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August 2025, losing his belt in a dominant performance and not returning to the Octagon since. Given that result, many expected Chimaev to top his list.
However, the 32-year-old South African preferred to highlight Sean Strickland, who is about to face ‘Borz’. Dricus du Plessis explains why Sean Strickland ranks as his toughest opponent instead of Khamzat Chimaev Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images Speaking on the Fight Forecast show, Du Plessis clarified why he kept Chimaev out of his toughest opponent discussion. “Obviously, the Khamzat [Chimaev] fight was one that I lost pretty significantly, but that wasn’t a fight.
That’s an obvious answer, so let’s take that one out of the equation,” he began by saying. Instead, he pointed to Strickland, who he defeated twice, and Brad Tavares, highlighting their durability and ability to absorb damage across extended exchanges. The former champ said: “Toughest guy has to be Brad Tavares or Sean Strickland, it just has to be.
I mean, just in terms of the amount of shots they took, just kept standing. ” “I mean, Strickland takes the punches but rolls with it. Tavares took some solid shots and he just kept standing, so between the two of those.
” Dricus du Plessis still ranks Israel Adesanya as most technical opponent Du Plessis also identified Israel Adesanya as the most technical fighter he has faced. He submitted ‘Izzy’ in a title defence in August 2024, but that has not changed his view of the middleweight legend. “Adesanya was the best guy that I faced, just in terms of everything he did, man.