Dricus du Plessis admits one-sided title loss to Khamzat Chimaev was tough to accept: “You can’t help it”

Dricus du Plessis had a tough time accepting the reality that he’d no longer be recognized as the UFC Middleweight Champion.

“Stillknocks” had two successful title defenses before stepping inside the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 319 main event back in Aug. 2025. While Chimaev was the betting favorite going into fight night in Chicago, many expected du Plessis to make “Borz” earn his keep. Ultimately, du Plessis was controlled for nearly 22 minutes on his way to a clear unanimous decision loss.

Speaking to UFC ahead of his first fight since the title loss, du Plessis said the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. He plans to regain the 185-pound championship at some point.

“I hadn’t lost in quite some time,” du Plessis said. “I hadn’t lost in eight years before that, and kind of forgot how it felt. Now, I know exactly why. I absolutely hate it. I hate losing. I hate not being the champion. I am a guy that’s the best in the world. I deserve a title. I have to have that title, and when I lost it, it just made me realize once again why I wanted to become champion in the first place, and why I will do it again.”

As far as getting over the defeat to Chimaev is concerned, du Plessis admitted that it took some time.

“Dealing with that loss, obviously it stung for quite a while,” du Plessis said. “It stung for, I would say a month after that fight. I mean, you can’t help it.”

While his next outing isn’t for a championship, du Plessis knows the stakes remain high. He will be facing former UFC welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman in the UFC Oklahoma main event on Saturday. Usman had a far more competitive bout against Chimaev, but that fight took place almost three full years ago. As it stands now, du Plessis is the betting favorite going into this one.

Do you think Dricus du Plessis will ever become a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, or will his goal be denied? Tell us what you think in the comments below.