Du Plessis says UFC OKC winner deserves Strickland title shot

Dricus du Plessis believes the winner of Saturday's UFC Oklahoma City main event deserves the next middleweight title shot against Sean Strickland.

The former champion faces Kamaru Usman on July 18 with both fighters angling for another crack at Strickland, who holds the 185-pound belt. Du Plessis lost the title to Khamzat Chimaev in his last outing but pointed to his history with the current champion as justification for a third meeting.

How du Plessis makes his case for Strickland trilogy

"Absolutely, because I have defended my belt against two of the best fighters in the world, the current champion being one of them," du Plessis told Sherdog when asked if the Oklahoma City winner should get the title shot. The South African holds two wins over Strickland, including one title defense.

Du Plessis added that the manner of victory could determine who gets the call. "It's about the performance between myself and Usman," he said, per the report. "Both of us are putting our hands out for that title shot and deservedly so. It will all come down to the winner and the fashion that you do this."

Usman also has a win over Strickland from nearly a decade ago when both competed at welterweight. Chimaev and top contender Nassourdine Imavov are also in the mix for title consideration, though both already lost to Strickland.

UFC Oklahoma City airs Saturday on Paramount Plus.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Du Plessis, Usman are fighting for more than a win at UFC OKC