UFC middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis said he would be "more excited" to fight Khamzat Chimaev than have a rematch with Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defeated Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) by split decision to win the title at UFC 297 in January in Toronto and was widely expected to face him again in his next title defence.
Du Plessis, however, turned his attention to Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) following the latter's first-round win by submission over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
"We always knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight," Du Plessis said during an interview with the YouTube channel Radioraps that was posted on Wednesday.
"We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport, and as the middleweight champion of the world, that's a fight that gets me more excited – taking somebody's 0. I've beaten Strickland before, and I know I'll beat him again.
"Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited. I think the whole world, the fans want to see it. The fans ultimately pay to watch the fights. So, the fight the world thinks is the best next fight, that's what I want. I think the Khamzat fight is 100 per cent what I want. The UFC is going to do what they're going to do, but from a fan perspective and from a fighter's perspective, I think Khamzat should get the next shot."
Du Plessis's coach, Morne Visser, expressed a similar sentiment on Instagram.
"We want Khamzat next in February," Visser posted. "Prepare to be amazed once again."
Du Plessis last fought at UFC 305 in August in Australia, where he submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round in his first title defence.