Du Plessis' Coach Sees Strickland Handling Imavov

Morne Visser expects Sean Strickland to get past Nassourdine Imavov if the two run it back, a result that would clear the path toward a third fight between Strickland and his fighter, Dricus du Plessis.

"I think Sean's got that dialled in. He figured Imavov out and Imavov is way too old. I don't want to say stubborn but he's been a veteran in this sport so there's no way that he'll change from the previous fight to this fight. He'll just engage and do whatever he needs to do, try to do what did last time, just better, and Sean knows that. Sean is going to capitalize on it. So, I think our next fight will be Sean," Visser

The two previously met in January 2023, when Strickland took a decision win at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight in a fight he accepted on short notice. With no immediate title opportunity in sight, Visser considers a Strickland trilogy the most logical next step for du Plessis, brushing aside alternatives like Gregory Rodrigues. Du Plessis already holds two victories over Strickland, having captured the title via split decision at UFC 297 before retaining it with a unanimous decision in the rematch.

"With Sean the second time, it was just so much easier for us. So, imagine the third time with Sean, how easy that's going to be because you figure that guy out," Visser