In a surprising turn of events, UFC CEO Dana White convinced Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman to step into the UFC 294 co-main event on short notice, with the promise that the winner would secure the next shot at the middleweight title, currently held by Sean Strickland.
Originally set to face Paulo Costa, Chimaev's opponent change came after Costa withdrew due to injury, giving Usman an opportunity to return to the Octagon unexpectedly. For Dricus Du Plessis, the No. 2-ranked middleweight contender, this development means he must either take another fight or wait until 2024 for a chance to compete for the coveted 185-pound strap.
Du Plessis expressed his disappointment on Instagram, highlighting the missed opportunity to face then-champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sydney. His decision to decline the fight opened the door for Strickland, who seized the chance and secured a unanimous decision victory over Adesanya. This victory not only propelled Strickland but also jeopardized Du Plessis' shot at the title, leaving him in a challenging position.
While both Usman and Chimaev have made unexpected jumps to the middleweight division, Du Plessis finds himself in the unfortunate position of having his title dreams postponed once again, a testament to the unpredictable nature of MMA.
Source MMA Mania
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