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Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis predicted Sean Strickland’s path to a second victory over Nassourdine Imavov.

Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history earlier this year by defeating reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. After entering the fight as a significant underdog, Strickland handed Chimaev the first loss of his career to reclaim the middleweight title.

In clinching his second UFC title reign, Strickland is widely expected to face top contender Nassourdine Imavov for his next fight. Imavov, who is on a six-fight unbeaten streak since losing to Strickland in January 2023, most recently knocked out Caio Borralho at UFC Paris last year.

As Strickland recently hinted in a social media post, he’s currently in an ongoing contract dispute with the UFC brass over fighting Imavov next year. Imavov has evolved since their first fight, making a rematch extremely enticing for fight fans.

But Strickland’s two-time rival, Dricus du Plessis, is expecting more of the same from the middleweight champ in his rematch with Imavov.

Dricus du Plessis paves Sean Strickland’s path to victory in Nassourdine Imavov rematch

In a recent interview with Fight Forecast, the former UFC middleweight champ Du Plessis was asked for his prediction for the likely Strickland vs. Imavov rematch.

“I honestly believe we’re going to look at the same result as the first one. I think Strickland’s going to go and walk forward,” Du Plessis said of Strickland vs. Imavov 2.

“Imavov has the style of kind of hitting, running, hitting, and running, and he does a great job at that, he doesn’t get taken into a firefight. But Strickland, if he goes forward, that pressure is just going to always be such that you can’t let that guy go forward. Imavov’s style is very similar to Adesanya’s style. Strickland has proven that he has the antidote to that style. Pressuring, pressuring and his defense is so good.

“So even if he goes forward, he doesn’t get clipped with those shots because he keeps it safe, because he prioritises the defense,” Du Plessis continued on Strickland vs. Imavov 2. “So I honestly believe we’re going to hear ‘and still’.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

What is your prediction for Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov 2? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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