Media Dricus apparently won't fight Imavov if Khamzat is injured?

[Alpha_T83]

DDP Refuses To Fight Imavov If Chimaev Gets Hurt

It sounds like it’s Khamzat Chimaev or nothing for reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. As of now, du Plessis is scheduled to defend his 185-pound strap against Chimaev at UFC 319 live on ESPN+ PPV on Aug. 16 in Chicago, Illinois. It’s an incredible matchup for the UFC’s...

sports.yahoo.com

Has anyone else seen this? I was surprised not to see this story already posted on the forums. Apparently DDP responded to Chimaev injury rumors by saying he won't fight Imavov if said rumors are true.

 

[FrappeDuRocma]

Goat, he wants to be smashed by Goatmaev.

 

[octagonation]

DDP Refuses To Fight Imavov If Chimaev Gets Hurt

It sounds like it’s Khamzat Chimaev or nothing for reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. As of now, du Plessis is scheduled to defend his 185-pound strap against Chimaev at UFC 319 live on ESPN+ PPV on Aug. 16 in Chicago, Illinois. It’s an incredible matchup for the UFC’s...

sports.yahoo.com

Has anyone else seen this? I was surprised not to see this story already posted on the forums. Apparently DDP responded to Chimaev injury rumors by saying he won't fight Imavov if said rumors are true.

It was not a reply to any rumors but he was asked as in what if and the interview is older then the fake rumors

 

[oski]

another one?

 

[rjmbrd]

DDP Refuses To Fight Imavov If Chimaev Gets Hurt

It sounds like it’s Khamzat Chimaev or nothing for reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. As of now, du Plessis is scheduled to defend his 185-pound strap against Chimaev at UFC 319 live on ESPN+ PPV on Aug. 16 in Chicago, Illinois. It’s an incredible matchup for the UFC’s...

sports.yahoo.com

Has anyone else seen this? I was surprised not to see this story already posted on the forums. Apparently DDP responded to Chimaev injury rumors by saying he won't fight Imavov if said rumors are true.

Context from what Dricus actually said:

“If I’m already there — you know two weeks — I will fight Imavov if he pulls out. But if he pulls out on four weeks I’m not going to fight. I will wait for him to be ready. I want to beat him because he’s the best right now.”


Nothing burger. He's saying of course he'll fight Imavov if its within a few weeks of the event, but if Khamzat pulls out month(s) in advance, he'd rather rebook that fight.

This makes complete sense.

 

[Luthien]

Sherdog will hate DDP now ?

 

[Alpha_T83]

It was not a reply to any rumors but he was asked as in what if and the interview is older then the fake rumors

Gotcha thanks I didn't notice that.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Context from what Dricus actually said:

“If I’m already there — you know two weeks — I will fight Imavov if he pulls out. But if he pulls out on four weeks I’m not going to fight. I will wait for him to be ready. I want to beat him because he’s the best right now.”


Nothing burger. He's saying of course he'll fight Imavov if its within a few weeks of the event, but if Khamzat pulls out month(s) in advance, he'd rather rebook that fight.

This makes complete sense.

That is true.

But I was more interested in the fact that if Chimaev gets injured now (i.e. next few weeks), then DDP will pull out.

But you're right, he does specify that he'd take a last-minute replacement if Chimaev pulls out within 2 weeks of the event.

 

[jjoaogbs]

Go Poatan! Smash him!

 

[Pechan]

When has anyone actaully fought a backup fighters? everytime they have been needed they just make a different fight.

 

[burningspear]

khamzat just needs to keep it on the low low

save millions on health insurance but independent contractors make their own decisions, tricky isnt it

 

[Neck&Neck]

Waiting around to fight Chimmy
He will waste his whole career
Be like Chandler waiting for Connie

 

[NoSmilez]

When has anyone actaully fought a backup fighters? everytime they have been needed they just make a different fight.

Islam

 

[Alpha_T83]

Islam

That's a good point, and Islam gets shit for it. "Oh, he defended against Moicano! Boo this man!"

That kind of attitude from the MMA community only helps to encourage champions to turn down replacement fighters IMO.

 

[Conan the K-9]

Waiting around to fight Chimmy
He will waste his whole career
Be like Chandler waiting for Connie

I could understand that if scamzat would actually be the number one contender, but at MW it’s Imavov or Caio.

 

[Pechan]

Islam

Renato wasn't a backup fighter, he had a fight with Beniel on the same card.

The actual backup for one of his fights was Gamrot and they ended up skipping him for Volk.

 

[188912345]

Dricus wants the toughest fight.
Respect!

 

[Tweak896]

Have to give credit to DDP for sticking with this fight, don't think anyone is saying Imavov would be a tougher test at this point.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Islam

name one time

also dricus is right here, he asked for khamzat last time they gave him strickland. no more delays

 

[Neck&Neck]

name one time

also dricus is right here, he asked for khamzat last time they gave him strickland. no more delays

Yeah but kham couldn’t get into Australia, I think that’s the real reason he didn’t get it
They didn’t want to move the fight to another card