Dricus Du Plessis admits he ‘forgot’ losing before Khamzat Chimaev defeat

Dricus Du Plessis is preparing for his return to the Octagon after an absence of nearly a year. The former UFC middleweight champion faces ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, his first fight since losing the 185-pound title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last year.

That defeat to Chimaev snapped an eight-year unbeaten streak dating back to a knockout loss during his time competing in KSW. Du Plessis has reflected on the experience, acknowledging the sting of losing the championship and how it reignited his hunger to reclaim the belt.

"Yeah, so I haven't lost in quite some time—eight years—and I kind of forgot how it felt," du Plessis said. "Now, I know exactly why. I absolutely hate it. I hate losing; I hate not being a champion. I'm a guy that's the best in the world—I deserve a title. I have to have that title. When I lost it, it made me realize why I wanted to become champion in the first place and why I will do it again."

Du Plessis added that the loss stung for about a month afterward, but that pain served as motivation. "Dealing with that loss, it stung for quite a while," he explained. "If it didn't sting like that, it would have been a problem—it means I didn't appreciate it. I'm a terrible loser, and I'll prove that on Saturday."

A convincing victory over Usman could position Du Plessis for another title shot in the middleweight division.