Sean Strickland reclaimed the 185-pound crown by defeating Khamzat Chimaev atop the UFC 328 fight card earlier this month in Newark, a five-round split decision that opened the door for middleweight contenders like Nassourdine Imavov and former champions like Dricus Du Plessis.
Even the No. 6-ranked Joe Pyfer is in the running, according to Michael Bisping.
“Dricus hasn’t fought since [UFC 319], he’s been inactive for a while,” the former UFC middleweight champion told www.casino.org/us. “It was last August, so we’re coming up close to a year now. I don’t think sitting out on the sidelines gets you a title shot. He’s gotta fight again. In the meantime, there’s Imavov. He’s out there, he deserves the title shot. Joe Pyfer also just stopped Israel Adesanya, so I think that’s a great matchup. I’d love to see Israel fight Dricus. But Imavov deserves it.”
Chimaev has also demanded an immediate “Tarzan” rematch.’
“Strickland’s already beaten [Imavov],” Bisping continued. “I’d like to see Strickland versus Joe Pyfer. Two Americans, two rednecks, stick them in a cage, they’ll swing for the fences, and then after that, Imavov or whoever can come out. Then Dricus can come and get a win, who knows. But Dricus is out of his mind if he thinks he deserves a title shot. I wouldn’t bet on Dricus for the title shot by sitting on the sideline in South Africa. I love Dricus, I’m a huge fan, so I’m not talking shit, but I know how the sport works. And you don’t lose a one-sided decision and then sit around for a year and then get given a title shot. He’s got to come back, get a win, which I believe he can, and then make some noise on the phone, and then he’ll probably get a title shot.”
I don’t think Bisping knows what a redneck is because Strickland is from Anaheim, Calif. and Pyfer is from Philadelphia, Pa. I also wonder if “The Count” has ever seen Strickland compete because the jab-a-licious “Tarzan” doesn’t exactly “swing for the fences” in any of his fights.
As for Imavov, “The Sniper” is counting on UFC to keep its word.
“Plenty of talk around the championship fight lately,” Imavov wrote on social media. “I believe everyone will stand on what they said.”
After all, nobody ever lies when it comes to title shots.
Imavov needs it so he can be stfu for good.
It’s my understanding DDP will be fighting Kamaru Usman next. I dont know if its been signed yet
There is only one true DDP and his Pic was already posted.