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Tag: Dricus Du Plessis

  • Khamzat Chimaev Is Standing My Way of Becoming the Greatest of All Time, Says Dricus Du Plessis

    Khamzat Chimaev Is Standing My Way of Becoming the Greatest of All Time, Says Dricus Du Plessis

    Khamzat Chimaev is nothing more than another stepping stone toward Dricus du Plessis’ ultimate MMA goal.

    After bagging impressive title defenses against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, ‘DDP’ will face his toughest test yet when he puts his undisputed middleweight gold on the line against ‘Borz’ at UFC 319 this Saturday night, August 16, in Chicago.

    Sitting on an impressive 9-0 run inside the Octagon, du Plessis dreams of one day retiring from mixed martial arts as the greatest fighter the sport has ever seen. With a win over Chimaev, the South African sensation believes he’ll be one step closer to achieving that goal.

    “I don’t care what the fans see,” du Plessis told Helen Yee. “Every time I defend that title, there’s going to be a next best guy. And that’s how I see him. He’s the next step. He’s the next guy in my way to becoming the greatest.”

    Will Dricus du Plessis continue to defy the odds against Khamzat Chimaev?

    As was the case in seven of his nine fights under the UFC banner, du Plessis goes into UFC 319 as the underdog. As it stands, the undefeated Chechen monster is a 2-to-1 favorite to leave ‘Chi-Town’ with the 185-pound crown wrapped around his waist.

    Of course, du Plessis has made a career out of defying the odds.

    Robert Whittaker was a -400 favorite to defeat ‘DDP’ before getting brutally knocked out by ‘Stillknocks’ at UFC 290. ‘DDP’ was then a +130 underdog in his first title tilt with Sean Strickland and a +150 dog in his subsequent title defense against ‘The Last Stylebender’ in August 2024.

    Will du Plessis defy the odds once again and take another giant step towards MMA immortality? Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.

  • Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page has given his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

    On Saturday night, we will see Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and it’s easily one of the most unpredictable title bouts of the year. They have dramatically different styles, they’re both physical, and they both go on the hunt for a finish.

    There are a lot of different ways it can go, and the predictions that have been flying in are all over the place. Some are backing Dricus du Plessis to simply outlast Khamzat Chimaev, whereas others can see ‘Borz’ getting the champ out of there early.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Michael Page became the latest fighter to weigh in on what could go down when Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev finally collide.

    MVP previews Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “When we talk about Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev, the thing people don’t realise is that both fighters are so different in their chaos. Dricus is unorthodox and unpredictable, and that makes him dangerous even when he looks like he’s slowing down. Khamzat is pure intensity from bell to bell, but if you can survive that first hurricane, you start to see the openings. Both are beatable, but you have to be willing to walk through fire to get there.”

    Who’s going to get it done, fight fans?

  • Khamzat Chimaev via Submission Over Dricus Du Plessis, says Undefeated Featherweight

    Khamzat Chimaev via Submission Over Dricus Du Plessis, says Undefeated Featherweight

    Undefeated UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy believes that Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up the win over Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319.

    On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s expected to be a highly technical, back and forth affair, and in truth, it’s pretty hard to conclusively say who is the favorite. Chimaev has his incredible wrestling ability, whereas du Plessis is one of the most unpredictable fighters in UFC history.

    They both have numerous paths to victory, and regardless of whether it ends via early finish or decision, we expect that there are going to be plenty of chaotic moments for fans to enjoy.

    In a recent interview with Card Player, the aforementioned Lerone Murphy backed Khamzat Chimaev to secure the win and the title via submission.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HapRvYu44is

    Lerone Murphy’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “Khamzat’s all gas on the pedal. Everyone’s saying if Khamzat wins he wins in the first round and if Dricus wins he wins later rounds. But I think you have to put more respect on Khamzat. He is not just going to gas out after the first round and give up if you don’t finish him. It’s going to be a tough fight for both of them, to be honest. But I see Khamzat getting his hand raised – maybe getting a third or second round submission.”

    Quotes via Card Player

    Do you agree with Lerone? Let us know, fight fans.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Not Impressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s Size After Meeting Him

    Dricus Du Plessis Not Impressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s Size After Meeting Him

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis isn’t impressed by the size of UFC 319 opponent Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their clash on Saturday night.

    This weekend, Dricus du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. It’s expected to be a pretty competitive back and forth affair, and while it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, there’s no denying that DDP will do well to overcome the dominant wrestling style that Chimaev possesses.

    Recently, the two men bumped into one another during fight week. Khamzat Chimaev came up to Dricus du Plessis and shook his hands, the pair seemed to be pretty professional about the whole thing. Of course, that could all come crumbling down like a house of cards during the upcoming UFC 319 press conference.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it clear that he didn’t feel like Khamzat was that much bigger than him.

    Dricus du Plessis doesn’t care about Khamzat Chimaev’s size

    “I don’t give a s*** how big he is. It’s not what wins fights, but yeah, I saw him. He’s not definitely not bigger than me.”

    du Plessis has never been the kind of guy who is going to shy away from a fight. If anything, he’s going to embrace it. The South African sensation is heading into this one with all the confidence in the world and if he can pull off the win, he’ll started to be talked about as one of the greatest middleweights of all time.

  • VIDEO: Dricus Du Plessis And Khamzat Chimaev Display Mutual Respect Ahead Of UFC 319 Title Showdown

    VIDEO: Dricus Du Plessis And Khamzat Chimaev Display Mutual Respect Ahead Of UFC 319 Title Showdown

    Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev recently came face to face for the first time.

    Du Plessis will put his middleweight crown on the line against Chimaev in the UFC 319 main event this Saturday, August 16, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    The build-up to this highly anticipated clash has been charged with tension, fueled by frequent back-and-forth exchanges between the fighters on social media. Many expected sparks to fly when they finally came together in person, but the encounter turned out to be quite the opposite.

    Dricus Du Plessis And Khamzat Chimaev Meet In Person Ahead Of UFC 319 Clash

    On Tuesday, Khamzat Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach, Alan Do Nascimento, posted an Instagram video capturing the moment “Borz” crossed paths with reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis ahead of their clash this weekend.

    To the surprise of many, the two rivals greeted each other with respect, shared a light moment of camaraderie, and chatted briefly in a friendly manner.

    “Stillknocks” enters UFC 319 riding the momentum of a dominant unanimous decision victory in his second title defense, a rematch against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 this past February.

    He first captured the 185-pound crown via split decision over Strickland at UFC 297, then successfully defended it with a submission win against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. Du Plessis remains unbeaten in the UFC, boasting a perfect 9-0 record.

    Meanwhile, Chimaev is fresh off a first-round submission victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024. “Borz” has seen limited action in recent years, competing just four times since 2022. Still, he maintains an undefeated 9-0 record in the UFC, with notable finishes over opponents such as Kevin Holland and Li Jingliang.

    Why Dricus Du Plessis Demanded a Fight with Khamzat Chimaev I have fought everybody
  • Dricus Du Plessis Laughs At Khamzat Chimaev’s Resume Heading into UFC 319

    Dricus Du Plessis Laughs At Khamzat Chimaev’s Resume Heading into UFC 319

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has compared his resume to Khamzat Chimaev’s ahead of their clash at UFC 319 this weekend.

    On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will finally collide with the UFC middleweight championship being up for grabs. It’s pretty tough to say who’s going to come out on top with the win, but one thing we know for sure is that both men are going to push the pace and bring the action from the very first moments of the fight.

    Dricus du Plessis has been a fantastic champion at 185 pounds and he’s hungry to improve his legacy even further in the years to come. He’s certainly talented enough to do that, but in order to reach that next level, he needs to be able to get through Khamzat.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis spoke candidly about his resume in comparison to Chimaev’s as we get closer and closer to fight night.

    Dricus du Plessis talks about comparisons with Khamzat Chimaev

    “I fought a guy that was ranked number seven because number one got injured, and he was the only guy that’s gonna take the fight. I wanna fight the best of the best and that is what I’ve been doing. 

    “If you go look at me and Khamzat, he’s [got] eight wins in the UFC, I’m nine. Just go compare our resumes. It’s ridiculous.”

    Either way, we’re going to get some real clarity on the state of the middleweight division soon.

  • Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis: Darren Till makes his prediction

    Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis: Darren Till makes his prediction

    Former UFC fighter Darren Till has given his thoughts on the UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

    On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. This is expected to be a pretty close, intense battle between two of the best middleweights on the planet – and two of the most unique. At this point, nobody really knows what way it’s going to go, and there are many different predictions flying around.

    One man who knows a thing or two about these men is Darren Till. The Liverpudlian fought and lost to Dricus du Plessis during his UFC run, and he trained extensively with Khamzat Chimaev, becoming quite close friends with ‘Borz’.

    In a recent interview with Compare.bet, Till had the following to say about Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev.

    Darren Till’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “DDP will be facing the highest level of wrestling, especially in MMA. Can Khamzat beat him early on? Most definitely.  But can DDP give Khamzat hell? Most definitely.

    “I think it’s 60-40 in Khamzat’s favour, but I just say, when it gets into later rounds, does Khamzat have it [the stamina] to go that? But I think he’s training with Arman Tsarukyan, so I think it’s going to be a demolition job, well I hope it is. But don’t be surprised if DDP gives him problems because he is a phenomenal fighter.

    “I think he’s going to drag Khamzat into deep waters, but I think Khamzat is going to be prepared, so I do see Khamzat winning any which way. But you cannot look past DDP. “

    Quotes via Compare.bet

  • ‘What A Let Down’ – Fans Split Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Custom Shorts For UFC 319 Title Fight Against Dricus Du Plessis

    ‘What A Let Down’ – Fans Split Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Custom Shorts For UFC 319 Title Fight Against Dricus Du Plessis

    Khamzat Chimaev will enter the Octagon in standout gear this weekend.

    Chimaev will challenge reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    Back in 2020, UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell made history by debuting his signature Reebok camouflage shorts. However, since last year, the UFC’s official fight kit partner Venum has rolled out a wave of custom designs for some of the sport’s biggest names including Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya, Dustin Poirier, Merab Dvalishvili, and Ilia Topuria, among others.

    The trend shows no signs of losing momentum, with the latest unveiling arriving just in time for UFC 319. As Khamzat Chimaev prepares for his first UFC title shot, the undefeated challenger will debut bespoke Venum fight shorts inspired by his moniker “Borz,” the Chechen word for wolf. The design features a striking pair of howling wolves on each side, set against a bold blue and grey backdrop.

    However, Chimaev won’t be the only one showcasing unique fight gear on Saturday night. His opponent, Du Plessis, will also step in wearing his own custom-made shorts, adorned with the bold and vivid colors of the South African flag, a proud tribute to his heritage.

    “Stillknocks” first sported the distinctive design during his successful title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 2024.

    Dricus Du Plessis custom shorts
    Image: @dricusduplessis/Instagram

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Custom Shorts For UFC 319 Ignite Fan Debate

    The unveiling of Khamzat Chimaev’s custom-made shorts for UFC 319 drew a flurry of mixed reactions from MMA fans online. While many praised the striking howling wolf design, others were quick to criticize, arguing that several fighters have sported far more impressive gear.

    Khamzat Chimaev last competed at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he secured a dominant first-round submission over former champion Robert Whittaker. “Borz” boasts an undefeated 8-0 UFC record and a perfect 14-0 overall, with 12 victories coming inside the distance.

    UFC Analyst Warns Why 'It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Wins At UFC 319
    Image: UFC.com
  • Dricus Du Plessis Vs. Khamzat Chimaev: Former UFC Champ Reveals the X Factor at UFC 319

    Dricus Du Plessis Vs. Khamzat Chimaev: Former UFC Champ Reveals the X Factor at UFC 319

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on what could be the X-factor between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

    As we know, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. It’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year and while you’ll find a lot of people saying that about a lot of different fights, it certainly seems to be appropriate for this one.

    Khamzat Chimaev is seen by many as the favorite, but underestimating Dricus du Plessis is a mistake that many of us have made over the years. DDP just seems to be getting more and more confident every single time he goes out there, and he has more than earned the right to call himself the king of the middleweight division.

    As we look ahead to fight night, Michael Bisping recently gave his thoughts on what the determining factor could be between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “Mental toughness does come into this because sometimes when you are so tired and your lungs are burning and you can’t breathe and your shoulders are on fire and you just want to sit down and collapse and just be left alone, you can always find that next level. 

    “That is why coaches always say, you’ve got to dig deep. You’ve got to dig deep. You’ve got to find that area, that level to where you can push more. It is just a state of mind. Yes, your heart is beating out of your chest, but if you choose to, you can keep going. And that’s just a fact.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Eviscerates Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘Sh*t Stand-Up’ Ahead of UFC 319

    Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Eviscerates Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘Sh*t Stand-Up’ Ahead of UFC 319

    Dricus du Plessis’ coach, Morne Visser, is confident that his fighter will come out on top against “one-dimensional” Khamzat Chimaev.

    Emanating from the United Center in Chicago, ‘DDP’ will put his middleweight championship on the line for the third time when he takes on the undefeated Chechen monster this Saturday, August 16, at UFC 319.

    Chimaev is a perfect 14-0 and has become something of a boogeyman in the division courtesy of his relentless wrestling and brutal submissions. For many, the game plan has been the same—survive the early onslaught in hopes that Chimaev will deplete his gas tank before hitting the latter rounds. To some extent, it’s worked for fighters like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, though both of them still fell to the unbeaten bruiser.

    However, du Plessis’ team plans to take a much different approach.

    “Khamzat doesn’t know what it is when people wanna wrestle him,” Visser said via UFC 319 Countdown. “He’s only facing guys who are trying to get away from him, from his wrestling. We don’t want to try and get away from his wrestling, we want to f–k him up in these games.

    “You can’t think that you’re gonna beat my guy with one thing, and that’s wrestling. That guy’s one dimensional. We’ve seen his stand-up. I wouldn’t even give him a pro license for his s–t stand-up. He doesn’t present any problem for us. We are the problem.”

    Du Plessis is going to fight his fight against Khamzat Chimaev

    In seven of his nine career UFC fights, du Plessis has opened as the underdog. UFC 319 will be no different as Chimaev goes into his first title tilt as a 2-to-1 favorite. Of course, that just gives ‘DDP’ another chance to defy the odds, and he plans to do exactly that by beating ‘Borz’ at his own game.

    “I’m not going in there to fight his fight,” du Plessis said. “I’m going in there to fight my fight. Just like I dealt with Adesanya’s striking, Strickland’s boxing, I’m going to deal with Khamzat’s wrestling.”

  • “It is a problem” – Khamzat Chimaev Winning The UFC Middleweight Throne is a Promotional Disaster, According to UFC Veterans

    “It is a problem” – Khamzat Chimaev Winning The UFC Middleweight Throne is a Promotional Disaster, According to UFC Veterans

    Could Khamzat Chimaev’s potential title win at UFC 319 pose a big problem for the promotion?

    On Saturday, August 16, ‘Borz’ will step into the main event spotlight in Chicago, challenging reigning and defending middleweight king Dricus du Plessis.

    After making his spectacular UFC debut in 2020, pummeling three opponents in the span of eight weeks, everyone thought Chimaev was on the fast track to title contention. Unfortunately, Chimaev’s momentum was halted due to an especially difficult bout with COVID-19 followed by a slew of post-pandemic illnesses that kept his appearances inside the Octagon few and far between.

    Since 2022, ‘Borz’ has only competed once a year, leading some to speculate that a win over du Plessis in ‘The Windy City’ could be a disastrous turn of events for the UFC.

    “Would Khamzat Chimaev winning the belt be a disaster for the division?,” ex-UFC champ Michael Bisping questioned on his Believe You Me podcast. “I got to agree that as far as promotion-wise, yeah, it could be, right?”

    “Until we see him fight more regularly, then it is a question,” co-host and former fighter Paul Felder added. “It is a problem.”

    UFC 319 will be Khamzat Chimaev’s first time fighting in the U.S. since 2022

    Aside from Chimaev’s inconsistent schedule and laundry-list of cancelled bouts, another cause for concern could be his willingness to fight stateside. When ‘Borz’ steps inside the United Center this weekend, it will be his first time competing in the U.S. since September 10, 2022. On that night, Chimaev was originally scheduled to face Nate Diaz in the UFC 279 main event.

    However, Chimaev infamously stepped in the scale eight pounds over the welterweight limit, forcing the UFC to shake-up the top of the card 24 hours before fight night.

    Chimaev went on to ragdoll Kevin Holland in the co-main event, earning his sixth win inside the Octagon. He was subsequently forced to move up from 170 to middleweight, where he’s since added wins over Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, setting the stage for his scrap with ‘DDP’ in ‘Chi-Town.’

    Between illnesses, weight misses, and cancellations aplenty, are Bisping and Felder right to be concerned about what the middleweight division could look like with Chimaev sitting on the throne?

  • Meeting Death Created Khamzat Chimaev as We Know Him Today: “If you’re not ready to die when it comes, you’ll be scared”

    Meeting Death Created Khamzat Chimaev as We Know Him Today: “If you’re not ready to die when it comes, you’ll be scared”

    Khamzat Chimaev does not fear death.

    Exploding onto the scene in 2020, ‘Borz’ will look to add a UFC title to his resume when he challenges reigning and defending middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 this Saturday, August 16, in Chicago.

    After winning his first three fights UFC in the span of eight weeks, Chimaev appeared to be on the fast track to fame, fortune, and gold. Sadly, his mometum was halted due to an especially bad bout with COVID-19. The illness was so extreme that the undefeated Chechen monster was contemplating retirement.

    Fortunately, Chimaev made a full recovery returned to the UFC 13 months later, but ‘Borz’ was fully prepared to meet his maker.

    “I believe in God, so I wanna meet Him as well. Life is going really fast — I’m already 31,” Chimaev told ESPN. “I remember being 6 or 7 years old, and it feels like yesterday. I believe in God, so do good things before I meet Him. If you’re not ready to die when it comes, you’ll be scared. Maybe my thinking about that made me who I am today.”

    Will Khamzat Chimaev’s reign of terror continue at UFC 319?

    Since making his return, Chimaev has added five more wins to his resume, none more impressive than his horrifying first-round submission victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. That on top of big wins over Kevin Holland and Kamaru Usman moved Chimaev into the No. 3 spot in the middleweight rankings, setting the stage for his highly anticipated clash with du Plessis in ‘Chi-Town.’

    Overall, Chimaev is 14-0 in his mixed martial arts career with an 85% finish rate — five KOs and seven submissions. He enters Saturday’s scrap with the South African sensation as a 2-to-1 favorite to leave ‘The Windy City’ with the 185-pound crown.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Shows Off Cardio While Trash-Talking Dricus Du Plessis: “Come here and let’s see!”

    Khamzat Chimaev Shows Off Cardio While Trash-Talking Dricus Du Plessis: “Come here and let’s see!”

    Cardio won’t be an issue for Khamzat Chimaev.

    After scoring a stunning first-round submission victory over Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi, ‘Borz’ will look to cash in on his first title opportunity when he challenges reigning and defending middleweight king Dricus du Plessis this Saturday night at UFC 319 in Chicago.

    While Chimaev goes into the contest with an unblemished 14-0 record and a slew of impressive performances, some have suggested that the Chechen’s gas tank could be his biggest Achille’s heel come fight night. Chimaev recently attempted to quell any concerns that his cardio could be a problem while sending a very clear message to his opponent.

    “What did you say, Dricus? You think my cardio won’t hold up? Come here and let’s see!” Chimaev said in a training clip via The MAC Life.

    Khamzat Chimaev’s cardio coach says his strength and conditioning is on a ‘different level’

    Chimaev is always looking to end things early inside the Octagon, but in the instances where he’s dragged into deeper waters, ‘Borz’ has been known to fade down the stretch. That was ever apparent in his bouts against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.

    And while he went on to win both of those fights via decision, Chimaev’s cardio coach Joakim Karlsson thinks that today’s version of ‘Borz’ is far more dangerous than the one who fought Burns and the ‘Nigerian Nightmare.’

    “Man, you can’t compare Khamzat, now, this time, with (the one from) one, two years ago,” Karlsson said at a UFC 319 media event. “It’s totally different. He has a different strength and conditioning coach now. It’s a different level now. I don’t think it’s fair to compare him from one, two years ago. It’s not the same.

    “He’s just taking training more serious now. He has good dedication to what he does because now it’s serious stuff, it’s coming up to a championship fight. So he’s been more serious about everything. He’s taking care of nutrition, sleep, recovery and everything. He’s good.”

  • UFC Icon Rebuffs Brendan Schaub on Dricus Du Plessis Becoming a Three-Division Champ

    UFC Icon Rebuffs Brendan Schaub on Dricus Du Plessis Becoming a Three-Division Champ

    Brendan Schaub thinks Dricus du Plessis could be the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion. Chael Sonnen isn’t so sure.

    Following dominant defenses against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland in his last two outings, ‘DDP’ will arguably face his toughest test yet when he puts his middleweight gold on the line against undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev. ‘DDP’ and Chimaev will headline UFC 319 this Saturday, August 16, when the promotion heads back to Chicago for a loaded pay-per-view lineup, which includes the Octagon debut of former Bellator star Aaron Pico.

    When du Plessis and Chimaev step inside the cage, they’ll be fighting for much more than gold.

    Both fighters enter the bout undefeated in their UFC careers, and both have dreams of etching their names in the history books as a three-division champion. But despite Schaub’s strong belief that ‘DDP’ can accomplish his goal, Sonnen thinks that could be a pretty tall order for du Plessis. Especially when the man you have to go through is Chimaev.

    “Brendan Schaub did a piece, and he likes Dricus,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “He likes Dricus to the point that he thinks he could be a three-division champion. Brendan laid out the math: 185, where he’s already king. Go up to 205, grab the belt, slide up to heavyweight, beat those guys.

    “I don’t hate the idea. I’m grateful that Brendan brought this to our attention because I too find that Dricus, in his next fight, is not fighting for nothing. I think there is something there. Take it from me, Mr. Division Expert: it has never been this difficult.”

    Who’s ‘O’ will go when Dricus du Plessis meets Khamzat Chimaev in ‘The Windy City’?

    ‘DDP’ heads to Chi-Town with a perfect 9-0 record inside the Octagon and wins over a slew of former world champions. Meanwhile, ‘Borz’ will look to cash in on his long-awaited title opportunity after ragdolling opponents on his way to a 14-0 record, including a teeth-cracking submission win over Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi last year.

    As it stands, Chimaev is a moderate favorite to come out on top, but du Plessis is known for defying the odds. In fact, the South African sensation has opened as the underdog in seven of his nine UFC bouts.

    Will du Plessis defy the odds once again, or is it Chimaev’s time to finally strap UFC gold around his waist?

  • Championships Don’t Matter to Khamzat Chimaev — Only Money: “Couple of Millions Coming”

    Championships Don’t Matter to Khamzat Chimaev — Only Money: “Couple of Millions Coming”

    Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t care about belts.

    After ragdolling opponents en route to an unblemished 14-0 record, ‘Borz’ will look to climb to the top of the middleweight mountain when he challenges the division’s reigning champion, Dricus du Plessis, at UFC 319 on Saturday, August 16.

    It will be Chimaev’s inaugural shot at UFC gold, but if things go according to plan, it won’t be his last. But even with his lofty goals of becoming the promotion’s first-ever three-division champion, ‘Borz’ made it clear that he’s not fighting for titles and accolades. It’s all about the benjamins.

    “I don’t think so much about the belt,” Chimaev told MMA Junkie. “Has a couple of millions coming after the fight in my bank account. That’s the important thing. I want to fight, beat that guy, you know. That’s important to me.”

    Khamzat Chimaev aims for a quick turnaround after UFC 319

    If Chimaev comes out both unscathed and with the middleweight title in his position, he plans on making quick turnaround, potentially defending his title or competing for another one at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi in October.

    “I need money bro. This is not enough, just to go for the one title,” Chimaev told ESPN MMA. “Hopefully if I don’t get injured or some stuff, gonna defend the belt or fight for other belt in Abu Dhabi, as well.”

    Considering ‘Borz’ has struggled to fight more than once a year since 2022, we wouldn’t count on him making such a quick turnaround, but as they say in MMA, anything is possible.

  • Why Dricus Du Plessis Demanded a Fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “I have fought everybody”

    Why Dricus Du Plessis Demanded a Fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “I have fought everybody”

    After cleaning out much of the middleweight top five, Dricus du Plessis is ready for a new challenge.

    ‘DDP’ will get exactly that when he puts his undisputed 185-pound world title on the line against undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev. The two will headline UFC 316 when the promotion heads back to the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, August 16.

    After repeatedly defying the odds and scoring big wins over ex-champions like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland twice, du Plessis knew there was just one man left to defend his gold against.

    “I have fought everybody in the top five except one,” du Plessis told Ariel Helwani. “That’s the resume I want. I want to fight the best guys. That’s why I wanted this Khamzat fight so badly.”

    Ask and you shall receive.

    Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is a classic battle of irresistable force vs. immovable object

    While Chimaev has looked practically unbeatable inside the Octagon, du Plessis has continuously found a way to win, even when it looked as though his defeat was imminent. Of course, ‘DDP’ has never fought someone known for ragdolling opponents the way Chimaev does, and oddmakers certainly seem to believe ‘Borz’ will handle du Plessis the way he handled ‘The Reaper’ in Abu Dhabi.

    Chimaev goes into the bout as a 2-to-1 favorite to leave ‘The Windy City’ with the middleweight crown. However, being the underdog is a position du Plessis has become plenty familiar with. In his nine career UFC fights, he opened as the underdog seven times. He’s currently 9-0 inside the Octagon.

    Clearly, something’s got to give when the irresistable force meets an immovable object in Chi-Town.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Made His Awkward Fighting Style Intentional: “Training this style for 12 years”

    Dricus Du Plessis Made His Awkward Fighting Style Intentional: “Training this style for 12 years”

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has spoken openly about his fight style ahead of his return to action at UFC 319.

    Later this month, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and while many believe that Chimaev will be able to claim the gold, underestimating DDP is something that has proven to be a really bad idea throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career.

    In his UFC run alone, Dricus du Plessis has been able to defeat some top names including Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. He has proven himself to be the best middleweight out there right now, and he’s done so with the kind of unconventional style that has put the rest of the division on notice.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis spoke about his fighting style, making it clear that this is something that has been carefully cultivated.

    Dricus du Plessis explains his fight style

    “My style is awkward on purpose. Me and my coaches have been training this style for 12 years because we think it’s better. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s different, not awkward.”

    When you really think about it, du Plessis doesn’t have to answer to anyone. He knows that all he has to do is go out there and let his fighting do the talking for him, and although Chimaev is the favorite for many, you can bet that Dricus is going to put his best foot forward in Chicago.

  • Dricus du Plessis explains why he’s so confident heading into Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 319

    Dricus du Plessis explains why he’s so confident heading into Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 319

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has explained why he’s feeling so confident as he prepares to defend his belt against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319.

    Later this month, Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will finally square off. While there have been many words exchanged between the two men, it’s safe to say that the fight itself is what is drawing in the attention of the masses.

    These two warriors are incredibly talented in their own right and when it comes to Dricus du Plessis, he has made a career out of proving people wrong. Now, he’s hoping to do the same again against a man who was once seen as the scariest fighter in mixed martial arts – and, for some, he perhaps still is.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis spoke candidly about this contest and why he’s feeling so confident in himself.

    Dricus du Plessis explains his confidence heading into UFC 319

    “With my style that is a very controversial style in the UFC, unlike anything that most people have ever seen,” Du Plessis told FOX 32 Chicago, “it’s only a benefit because it’s proven to be effective. But then again, how do you prepare for that? How do you find somebody to mimic that? And at the end of the day, that’s almost my niche. It’s impossible to prepare for me because I have this unique style that, where do you find somebody to mimic it?”

    “I’m the underdog, I’ve been the underdog for most of my career, yet I am the champion,” Du Plessis said. “So, odds don’t make fights and for me, I 100 percent believe this is the best opponent that I have faced to date. But so was the previous one. 

    “Every time you step in there, you’re going to face the next most dangerous guy – especially as the champion. So for me, yes, this is the best opponent I’ve ever come up against, but once again, I’ll show my improvements and why I am the champion.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • UFC Champ Dricus Du Plessis Will Shock the World Against Khamzat Chimaev Accoring to Middleweight Contender

    UFC Champ Dricus Du Plessis Will Shock the World Against Khamzat Chimaev Accoring to Middleweight Contender

    Dricus du Plessis will retain his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, says top contender Anthony Hernandez.

    As we know, Dricus du Plessis is gearing up for arguably the toughest test of his career to date. He will square off against Khamzat Chimaev, and he’ll do so knowing that many people don’t believe he can get the job done. Of course, this is DDP we’re talking about here, and he’s already overcome plenty of challenges when people didn’t expect him to do so.

    With that being said, Khamzat Chimaev is a different animal entirely. He has beaten some elite levels throughout his time mixed martial arts and although Dricus du Plessis has been a phenomenal champion thus far, you’d have to imagine ‘Borz’ is coming into this one as confident as he ever has been.

    In the eyes of the aforementioned Anthony Hernandez, though, Dricus du Plessis is the one that we should be backing heading into fight night.

    Anthony Hernandez backs Dricus du Plessis to beat Khamzat Chimaev

    “I think DDP is going to shock the world again. He’s a big, tough, awkward [expletive]… I’m still not really sold on Khamzat. I understand he’s good and he’s dangerous, yada yada… who was it, Usman gave him a run for his money off the couch. So how does he do with somebody that’s like a real 85er?”

    DDP knows that he’ll have to be at the top of his game, but we can’t imagine pressure is something that’s going to impact him too much.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Has The Size And Skill To Dominate 3 Divisions, Says UFC Veteran

    Dricus Du Plessis Has The Size And Skill To Dominate 3 Divisions, Says UFC Veteran

    Dricus du Plessis has what it takes to accomplish something no one has ever done in the UFC, at least according to a former fighter.

    Du Plessis is gearing up for his third middleweight title defense as he faces the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a high-stakes UFC 319 main event on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    While Chimaev may be the toughest challenge yet for “Stillknocks”, a victory could open the door to even greater opportunities. The 31-year-old South African has made it clear he’s eyeing a move up in weight, with ambitions of becoming a two-division UFC champion.

    However, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub believes Du Plessis has the potential not just to claim two titles, but to become a legitimate threat across three divisions.

    Dricus Du Plessis
    Image: UFC.com

    Brendan Schaub Says Dricus Du Plessis Could Become UFC’s First Triple Champion

    During a recent appearance on the JAXXON podcast, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub shared his thoughts on why Dricus du Plessis should set his sights beyond the middleweight division once he handles business against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

    According to Schaub, “Stillknocks” possesses both the tools and the physique to move up to light heavyweight in pursuit of a second title, and he believes a jump to heavyweight could follow as Du Plessis looks to carve out a historic legacy in the UFC.

    “I think whoever wins out of Khamzat and DDP, whoever wins that can go for three belts,” Schaub said. “DDP’s bigger than Khamzat, so light heavyweight, he’s probably a light heavyweight naturally. So it makes sense for DDP to go to light heavyweight. Heavyweight’s not as far a stretch for him. DDP’s a big boy.”

    Dricus du Plessis is no stranger to multi-division success. During his run in KSW between 2017 and 2018, he captured both the welterweight and middleweight titles.

    “Stillknocks” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 312 this past February, where he delivered a commanding performance to earn a unanimous decision victory in a rematch against Sean Strickland. Du Plessis remains unbeaten in the UFC, boasting a perfect 9-0 record, with six of those wins coming by way of stoppage.

    Dricus Du Plessis
    Image: UFC.com
  • Ilia Topuria praised as “special” by UFC champion

    Ilia Topuria praised as “special” by UFC champion

    UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has been praised by Dricus du Plessis following his recent success in the promotion.

    As we know, Ilia Topuria is a pretty special talent – and it turns out that a lot of other fighters think so too. In his last three outings, he’s been able to defeat (and knock out) Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. While it may sound extreme, he’s currently on a similar trajectory to Conor McGregor.

    While his next opponent isn’t quite clear, one thing we do know is this: Ilia Topuria is legit. Another man who thinks so is Dricus du Plessis, who has enjoyed a similar rise to prominence.

    Dricus du Plessis praises Ilia Topuria

    “I’m so happy for him,” Du Plessis said of Topuria in an interview with Betway South Africa. “We made our debuts on the same fight card. He was literally in my changing room. We were on the same trajectory, winning our titles one month apart, so I’m super happy for him.

    “I think he’s one of those special characters who’s going to be a Hall of Famer, no doubt. He’s the first unbeaten guy to have two titles, so I rate him very highly as an all-round fighter. And obviously, his striking power, knocking out three legends – I think he’s incredible, and in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best in the UFC right now.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Just how high is the ceiling for this guy? Only time will tell.

  • UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev capturing the UFC middleweight title could spell trouble for the division, at least that’s what one analyst believes.

    Chimaev is set to challenge reigning 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    “Borz” made an explosive entry into the UFC in July 2020, earning massive acclaim after securing three dominant victories within just 66 days, marking the fastest such streak in modern UFC history. However, the undefeated Chechen’s rise has been repeatedly stalled by medical complications and unforeseen obstacles, resulting in only five appearances inside the Octagon since September 2020.

    Now that Khamzat Chimaev is slated to compete in the biggest fight of his career, observers and critics are questioning whether he’ll successfully make it to the Octagon without complications. If he does and manages to dethrone Du Plessis, Din Thomas believes that could mark the beginning of an even bigger problem.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Din Thomas Raises Red Flag Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Future As Potential Champion

    During a recent episode of The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn, UFC analyst Din Thomas shared his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 headliner between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC analyst cautioned that if “Borz” emerges as the new middleweight champion, his history of irregular appearances could halt the division’s momentum, creating a situation that, in his view, would be detrimental to the sport.

    “If Khamzat wins it’s a disaster,” Thomas said. “You can’t tell me a part of you isn’t just thinking, ‘This fight might not actually happen.’ Some of these guys habitual struggle in just making it to the dance. I’m not going to be pessimistic about it and will say he’s going to show up. But if he does show up and he’s able to win, do we trust him to be able to show up and fight again? That’s the thing.

    “Can he do it twice? Can he do it three times? Because we need movement. I hate when it’s static and there’s no movement in these divisions and in order to be movement in the divisions, the champions have to fight.”

    “Borz” last competed at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker. Chimaev remains undefeated, boasting a perfect 8-0 record in the UFC and 14-0 overall, with an impressive 12 of those wins coming by way of finish.

    Robert Whittaker Shares Shocking Details Of Jaw Surgery After UFC 308 Loss To Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC.com
  • “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev is putting on the final touches of his preparations for UFC 319, where he’ll attempt to become the UFC middleweight champion.

    Chimaev took to social media to show images seen of his reported final fight camp. Chimaev is currently in Los Angeles and will soon make his way to Chicago, where UFC 319 takes place.

    Of note, it looks like he is preparing his striking and power, as the photos show him working on his knees and hitting pads.

    Khamzat Chimaev In Los Angeles For Final Camp Before UFC 319

    “Feeling great,” Chimaev posted. “We are in LA. Doing training camp now, last camp before the fight. So, coming for Chicago. Kill everybody.”

    Du Plessis, at 14-0, has taken the MMA world by storm since his UFC signing in 2020. It was then where he scored a pair of knockout victories while breaking the quickest turnaround time between UFC wins at 10 days. Chimaev would then knockout Gerald Meerschaert later that year.

    While injuries and illness have slowed him down over the last few years, Chimaev’s success hasn’t, as he’s since scored wins over Li Jinglang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

    UFC 316 takes place on Aug 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev will be competing in the main event, challenging current UFC 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    Du Plessis has been champion since defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297, retaining against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and in a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312.

  • Khamzat Chimaev May Not Survive Du Plessis at UFC 319, says Reinier de Ridder

    Khamzat Chimaev May Not Survive Du Plessis at UFC 319, says Reinier de Ridder

    UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder is leaning towards predicting Dricus du Plessis defeating Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is an absolute animal. He has already accomplished a lot of great things in mixed martial arts – perhaps most notably submitting Robert Whittaker with relative ease. As we look ahead to next month and his title showdown with Dricus du Plessis, a lot of people believe that he may well become a UFC champion, something that has been on the cards for a while in the eyes of the masses.

    With that being said, Dricus du Plessis has been overcoming the odds ever since he arrived in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. So, it goes without saying that the thought of fighting Khamzat Chimaev probably isn’t something that scares him too much. In fact, he seems to be thriving on the idea of people seeing him as the underdog heading into this one.

    In the mind of Reinier de Ridder, though, Dricus du Plessis successfully defending the belt against Khamzat Chimaev is more than a viable possibility.

    Reinier de Ridder’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “I’m leaning towards Dricus Du Plessis because of experience training with both guys. I don’t see Khamzat finishing him early. I see it going late rounds.”

    Chimaev is going to approach this fight with the same intensity that he approaches all of his bouts but if this one stretches out beyond the first few rounds, it could get interesting.

  • What’s Next After UFC 318? Full Confirmed UFC 319 Main Card For Chicago On August 16

    What’s Next After UFC 318? Full Confirmed UFC 319 Main Card For Chicago On August 16

    UFC 318 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois.

    The promotion was in New Orleans last week, where the Smoothie King Center played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its seventh numbered event of the year. Of note were headline wins for Max Holloway and Paulo Costa, as well as a retirement celebration for Dustin Poirier and important victories for Daniel Rodriguez, Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson.

    While the aftermath of the July 19 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the BMFs to the middleweight championship conversation.

    At UFC 319, which takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 16, Dricus Du Plessis will put his middleweight title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis originally won the belt from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and has retained the gold against Israel Adesanya and Strickland, respectively, at UFC 305 and UFC 312. Chimaev earned this title shot off a violent finish of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last year.

    During the main card’s announcement at UFC 318, there was no listed co-main event. That is still the case as of publication time.

    Neal, Cannonier, Elliott Set The Stage For Middleweight Title Headliner At UFC 319

    Before Du Plessis and Chimaev make their way out for the middleweight title fight, several names will look to make their own statements on the main card for UFC 319.

    This includes Geoff Neal, who will be doing battle with the rising welterweight contender Carlos Prates. Neal snapped a two-fight skid his last time out, scoring a TKO win over Rafael dos Anjos in 90 seconds due to injury. Prates, of the Fighting Nerds, will look to rebound following his April loss to Paddy Pimblett — the first loss in Prates’ UFC run.

    Former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier will also be in action, taking on Michael “Venom” Page. Like Neal, Cannonier also snapped a two-fight skid his last time out, finishing Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues in February. MVP returned to middleweight in his most recent fight, scoring a decision over Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February.

    The main card is scheduled to open with Tim Elliott taking on Kai Asakura in a battle of former flyweight title challengers. This will be Elliott’s first fight in over a year-and-a-half due to injury. Elliott most recently fought in a bantamweight bout in December 2023, submitting Su Mudaerji. Asakura, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion, challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title in his UFC debut at UFC 310, losing via submission.

    Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the likes of King Green, Jessica Andrade, and Edson Barboza, all of whom are expected to be featured players on the event’s preliminary card.

    See below for the UFC 319 lineup, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Middleweight Championship: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
    • TBA Weight Class: TBA vs. TBA
    • Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
    • Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
    • Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura

    Preliminary Card (Bout Order TBA):

    • Lightweight: King Green vs. Diego Ferreira
    • Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
    • Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez
    • Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez
    • Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
    • Middleweight: Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
    • Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. JJ Aldrich