![Dricus du Plessis dismisses idea of backup fight against Nassourdine Imavov should Khamzat Chimaev withdraw [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/06/7d679-17492364429926-1920.jpg)
![Dricus du Plessis dismisses idea of backup fight against Nassourdine Imavov should Khamzat Chimaev withdraw [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMvJAVv/xAAiEAABBAAFBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBQASFTEyBhEhUcH/2gAIAQEAAT8Abrel9OjzG6uaEgpNdF8y82QCPgBoiKm3Ll9t5dOxazWRqrEkbfMEXWHR2L0g9kx//8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAgBAgEBPwB//8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABESAf/aAAgBAwEBPwCclo//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dricus du Plessis recently dismissed the idea of Nassourdine Imavov being a backup option and made it clear he is only interested in Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis is scheduled to defend his middleweight championship against Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319, which takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 16.
Du Plessis is well aware of Chimaev's unfortunate history of having to withdraw from past bouts, but noted that he isn't interested in a backup plan. Both men have taken aim at each other in several back-to-back exchanges, with 'Stillknocks' expressing his desire to see 'Borz' remain healthy enough until the fight.
In his latest conversation with RMC Sports Combat, du Plessis shared his thoughts on Imavov possibly replacing Chimaev. The South African mentioned that it is very much a possibility, but shut down the idea of a change of opponent unless Chimaev were to withdraw close to the fight. He said:
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"The track record's not good... But that's not how I work. I train for the fight. I have to be honest, if [Chimaev] pulls out of this fight early, I will not fight Imavov because I want to fight Khamzat. I don't want anything else. If I'm already there, two weeks, I'll fight Imavov if [Chimaev] pulls out. If he pulls out on four weeks, I'm not gonna fight. I will wait for him because I want to beat him, because he's the best right now. I want to only fight the best of the best."
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Check out Dricus du Plessis' comments below:
Dricus du Plessis shares honest thoughts on Nassourdine Imavov
Dricus du Plessis also took note of Nassourdine Imavov's status in the middleweight division and complimented him on his skill set.
In the aforementioned clip, du Plessis mentioned that although Imavov is a top contender in the division, he would like to see him compete in a title eliminator bout next. He said:
"[Imavov] is number-one contender but he beat I guy that I just beat... I think he's a great fighter. I'm a fan of his style, I think he's great. I think Imavov is very, very good. In my opinion, I think Imavov vs. Caio Borralho for a number-one contender fight. That's what I think."
Check out the UFC 319 bout announcement for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev below:
