Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev‘s best path to victory as he prepares to challenge for the UFC middleweight championship.
On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev finally gets his crack at UFC gold. He’ll be going up against reigning champion Dricus du Plessis in a fight that, to put it bluntly, is going to be pretty awesome. There are so many different ways in which it can go, and for Khamzat, you’d have to imagine that his wrestling will be his best bet.
As it turns out, Eric Nicksick also agrees that Khamzat Chimaev needs to implement his game early.
Eric Nicksick on Khamzat Chimaev’s route to victory
“For Chimaev it’s the wrestling, but it’s how he wrestles, the way he gets after these guys that really stands out. He’s on you straight away, suffocating you, not giving you any chance to get settled or prepare for what’s coming. He chains everything together so well, so quickly that it’s hard to react and respond.
“He likes to just blitz right away — get across the cage, get connected to you — and then he’s immediately looking to get you down, switching his entries, constantly making you defend. Once he gets you down, he’s flattening you out, looking for ground-and-pound or a choke. We’ve seen it in almost all of his fights — guys are just stuck on the back foot, stuck defending — and Chimaev is too strong, too good for them to be able to stop him.”
“For Chimaev it’s get out there, get after him, and get it over with in a hurry. He’s not looking to show he can go five rounds or spend any more time in there than he has to. It needs to look like the fight with Whittaker. Shoot right away, get connected, and make him deal with everything you’re giving him, trying to get him out of there.”
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has made it clear that he isn’t afraid to wrestle with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
In the main event of UFC 319, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. As we’ve said for weeks now, this is easily one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. DDP is unpredictable and chaotic, whereas Chimaev is ruthless and efficient in what he does.
Something has to give, and we can’t wait to see them lock up for the first time. Of course, the wrestling prowess of Khamzat Chimaev is considered to be the strongest factor for either fight in this one – and it’s pretty clear to see why. At the same time, though, Dricus du Plessis is the kind of fighter who can pull a rabbit out of his hat in the blink of an eye.
In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it known that he isn’t particularly bothered about the porospect of having to wrestle with Chimaev on Saturday night.
Dricus du Plessis discusses Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling
“I understand that he’s really good at wrestling and he’s really good on the ground, but I mean, that is the game. That’s truly how I feel about this fight. Yes, he is going to shoot. And yes, he is probably going to take me down, but I’m going to shoot too and I’m probably going to take him down. I’m going to strike and I’m probably going to hit him and he’s going to strike and probably hit me. I’m not scared of any of that.”
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev came out with an absolutely wild comment when being interviewed by Daniel Cormier earlier this week.
As we know, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship this weekend at UFC 319. In the eyes of many, ‘Borz’ is the favorite to win the fight and finally claim UFC gold for the first time in his career. Of course, getting the job done against DDP is going to be easier said than done.
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t fear anyone, and neither should he if he wants to become world champion. Alas, Dricus du Plessis has a lot of great attributes, as does the challenger.
In a recent interview, though, Khamzat Chimaev and Daniel Cormier took some time away from speaking about the fight to engage in a bit of back and forth banter.
🗣️ Khamzat Chimaev:
"I don't need to be beautiful. Girls like terrorists." 😭😭
Cormier: “But look at me, look at my face, look at your face. This, beautiful, black skin, caramel. Your skin? Chechnya. Not beautiful like mine.”
Chimaev: “Don’t need to be beautiful.”
Cormier: “What do you need to be? World champion?’
Chimaev: “Girls like terrorists.”
Cormier: “[laughs] You’re so crazy, you can’t say that!”
Chimaev: “I’m joking man.”
Khamzat knows that he will become a true superstar if he’s able to get through du Plessis. If he does it convincingly and gets the finish, then it’ll open up the door to all kinds of interesting possibilities – whether it be at middleweight or perhaps even 205 pounds.
For the first time in six years, the UFC returns to the Windy City, as Chicago plays host to this Saturday’s UFC 319. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, August 16. The main card will begin at its usual 10pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.
The main event will see an exciting and anticipated middleweight championship clash featuring defending champ Dricus Du Plessis facing challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
Unbeaten in the UFC, Du Plessis originally claimed the title with a win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Since then, he’s retained the title twice, defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 last year and winning a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312 this past February.
Chimaev is undefeated and, just like Du Plessis, has risen up the middleweight ranks in impressive fashion since arriving to the UFC in 2020. Chimaev earned this title shot after his win at UFC 308, defeating former champion Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator.
The UFC 319 co-main event sees undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy welcome former Bellator prospect Aaron Pico to the Octagon.
Murphy has won eight in a row since his UFC debut went to a draw. He most recently defeated Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105 this past April. This will be Pico’s first fight since defeating Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February 2024.
The rest of the UFC 319 main card features a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, a middleweight battle between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and Michael “Venom” Page, and a flyweight fight featuring former title challengers Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura.
UFC 319: MMA News Staff Predictions
With UFC 319 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through seven cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (22-15) Thomas Albano (20-17)
Ryan Jarrell (20-17)
And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 319!
Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: From my perspective, this one feels pretty straightforward. Yes, Asakura’s UFC debut ended in a crushing submission loss to Alexandre Pantoja, but that single setback doesn’t define his skill set. He brings championship experience and, in my opinion, has the striking tools to shut anyone’s lights out. The key will be keeping Elliott at bay and denying his relentless takedown attempts, which could prove tricky. Still, at 38 years old, Elliott faces a bigger question: can he match Asakura’s pace, power, and intensity over three rounds? Personally, I have my doubts. (Prediction: Asakura)
Thomas Albano: This is going to be fun. Kai Asakura may have come up short in his UFC debut, but a debut fight against one of the best champions in the sport, let alone the defending flyweight champion, was always going to be a tough task. But against an aging veteran like Tim Elliott? I definitely see Asakura displaying his full abilities that made him a champion in RIZIN on display here. It’s going to be a battle between Elliott’s wrestling game and Asakura’s striking – and with Asakura being the more well-rounded fighter in my eyes, it’s obvious where I lean to here. (Prediction: Asakura)
Ryan Jarrell: Father Time is undefeated and I expect that old saying to ring true in this scrap. Tim Elliot is closing in on 39 years old and that’s a big deal especially for a lighter weight class. Kai Asakura still must have a bad taste in his mouth from his UFC debut fight loss to the champion, Pantoja. Asakura is legit and coming in to his prime where Elliot is close to the end. No need to overthink this one, give me Asakura all day. (Prediction: Asakura)
Consensus: 3-0 Asakura
Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: I’ll be honest, this matchup is tricky to predict. Both fighters are arguably past their peak, yet each still brings dangerous tools to the table. “Venom” retains his trademark flair for unpredictable, complex striking. Add in his nimble footwork, and he could give Cannonier plenty of problems. That said, “The Killa Gorilla” has only fallen short against the elite of the elite. His raw power and fight-ending shots could be the exact antidote to Page’s movement-heavy style. If Cannonier can cut off the cage and let his hands go, he might just put a stop to the Brit’s night. (Prediction: Cannonier)
Thomas Albano: This is an interesting battle between two fighters who are past their prime but still relevant in the middleweight contender scene. Cannonier obviously has got some strong wrestling, and while Page’s abilities in this area aren’t the strongest, we have seen him defend well before. And besides that, he’s going to have the reach and striking advantages here. MVP can still hit well for an older fighter, and I expect that his striking is going to do far better work than Cannonier’s grappling. I expect this one to go the distance, and I see MVP getting his hand raised. (Prediction: Page)
Ryan Jarrell: I am very excited to see this fight from a stylistic standpoint. Venom Page is coming up a weight class against a veteran fighter with heavy hands and a granite chin. I am very interested to see if his slick movement will be on point and allow him to evade the power shots of Cannonier for a full fifteen minutes. I expect the Killa Gorilla to land something big and if he cannot, he will use his grappling and strength advantage to help him win a decision. (Prediction: Cannonier)
Consensus: 2-1 Cannonier
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: They don’t call Neal “Handz of Steel” for nothing. The veteran slugger has made a career out of crashing parties with his heavy hands. That said, Neal has historically struggled against opponents with a significant reach advantage. Prates may have lost some momentum after his setback against Ian Garry, but “The Nightmare” remains a dangerous striker with the power to live up to his nickname. If he can impose his range and keep Neal at the end of his shots, Prates could find himself right back in the win column. (Prediction: Prates)
Thomas Albano: This is going to be Carlos Prates’ first fight since his undefeated record was ended at the hands of Ian Machado Garry. Prates could have been undefeated if it wasn’t for not doing enough when he had Garry down in the fight’s last minute in a bad way. The fight showed that while Prates wasn’t the better man on that night, he can still be a dangerous fighter. And given the power we’ve seen from Geoff Neal, this makes this fight more intriguing. I expect Prates will use his reach advantage to keep distance and land a powerful blow that does damage, gaining back any momentum lost with a solid finish here. (Prediction: Prates)
Ryan Jarrell: Carlos Prates is one of the most exciting young fighters in the entire sport right now and has the fighting style to become your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. He smokes heaters before weighing in and then throws heat come fight night. Geoff Neal is a dangerous veteran fighter who throws hard and likes a fire fight. I expect both men to have their moments early on before Prates lands a big shot that changes the trajectory of the fight from a fight of the night candidate to a violent and exciting TKO finish. (Prediction: Prates)
Consensus: 3-0 Prates
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Pranav Pandey: Murphy has been tearing through the featherweight division, riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, a run that speaks volumes about his skill and consistency. With wins over battle-tested names like Dan Ige, Josh Emmett, and Edson Barboza, “The Miracle” has proven to be a genuine problem for anyone at 145. That said, while he’s durable and experienced, I don’t quite see him as a complete fighter or a true knockout threat. His vulnerability in takedown defense could open the door for trouble, especially against someone like Pico.
Pico enters for his UFC debut carrying the pressure of high expectations, but also the confidence of being a reliable finisher. The real question is whether he can translate that finishing ability against an opponent of Murphy’s pedigree, a level he hasn’t faced before. In my opinion, if Pico leans on his strengths and executes with precision, he could turn some heads, but getting past Murphy won’t be easy. (Prediction: Pico)
Thomas Albano: Good on Aaron Pico to receive a major opportunity for his UFC debut after losing his initial opponent in Movsar Evloev. But let’s be clear; that’s a fight that shouldn’t have been made in the first place. Evloev should be getting a featherweight title shot next. But now that’s no longer an issue, and instead Pico must deal with another unbeaten featherweight in Lerone Murphy. Murphy’s coming into this fight off a win over Josh Emmett, and he’s going to be looking for a statement win here to give himself positioning in the title picture as well.
I think everyone riding Pico’s hype train needs to pump the breaks, however. Yes, he’s got knockout power and a strong wrestling background. But he was heavily hyped when he made his professional debut in Bellator, too, and that didn’t go well. Pico’s track record may have been OK for Bellator/PFL standards, but Murphy’s track record completely blows Pico’s out of the water. I believe in Murphy’s all-around game a lot more, and after the way fellow Bellator alums Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix have faired in their UFC debuts, I have a lot of doubts. This may be a dog walk. (Prediction: Murphy)
Ryan Jarrell: This is going to be an interesting fight because Lerone Murphy is extremely legit but fighting as the underdog against a debuting fighter in the UFC with a ton of hype behind him. Pico is very dangerous and has the capability of being a force in this division for a long time. We have seen hyped prospects underperform in their UFC debuts time and time again and I believe we will see it one more time at UFC 319. Murphy is too well rounded and has been fighting the better competition for quite some time now. I expect him to dictate where the fight takes place and fight intelligently throughout fifteen minutes en route to a safe decision victory. (Prediction: Murphy)
Consensus: 2-1 Murphy
Middleweight Title: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This is the type of matchup that makes the entire MMA community hold its breath, and trust me, I’m just as hyped as you are. It’s the kind of clash shrouded in pure unpredictability. Chimaev has been an unstoppable wrecking ball since the moment he stepped into the Octagon, and I genuinely believe the danger he brings to Du Plessis is very real. But here’s where I disagree with the popular narrative: people are way too quick to write off “Stillknocks.” He’s not holding that belt by accident, and by the oddsmakers, he’s still not getting the credit a champion of his caliber deserves.
“Borz” thrives in one area above all, his relentless wrestling and takedown game. For Du Plessis, surviving that storm in the opening half of the fight will be absolutely critical, and in my opinion, if anyone has the grit to weather it, it’s DDP. Many see him as chaotic and unpredictable, but I’ve always believed there’s a method to that madness. I think the real turning point of this fight will reveal itself once we cross into the championship rounds. If Du Plessis can shut down Chimaev’s wrestling by that point, the momentum could swing violently in his favor. With Chimaev’s cardio still in question, the later rounds could be where DDP takes over and finishes the job. (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Thomas Albano: Those who know me know that I have been following Dricus Du Plessis since his days in EFC Africa in 2016. I’ve been a longtime member of the DDP hype train, but this is a fight I have been debating so much with myself about. And that’s because right now I think Khamzat Chimaev has the best shot out of anyone in the division to beat him. Plus, Chimaev has history on his side –the two other men who have beaten Robert Whittaker at 185 before him (Israel Adesanya and DDP [I said before Chimaev, so Reinier de Ridder doesn’t count here]) have gone on to become champion.
Chimaev has such an amazing wrestling game, and I expect him to take DDP down right away and try to put him out as quickly as possible. That’s certainly going to be a problem for DDP, but if DDP weathers that early storm, is that going to be a problem for Chimaev? DDP’s last few fights have shown us that if the bout goes to championship rounds, he’s now able to go the full 25 minutes. Can Chimaev? The longer this fight goes, the more it favors the defending champion.
And all the pre-fight media stuff I’ve seen this, there’s something in the air. Something weird. Normally I get this feeling when a fighter is overconfident and doesn’t take their opponent seriously; that’s not what I’m getting from DDP. It feels like DDP has just the right amount of confidence from the other times he was counted out. It’s convinced others here to go with DDP…so since I’ve been a longtime member of his hype train, I should as well, shouldn’t I? (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Ryan Jarrell: This title fight is easily one of my most highly anticipated fights of the year. I cannot wait to see the chess match that takes place in this fight between two of the very best fighters on the planet right now. I expect Khamzat to start aggressive like he usually does, but will he be able to overwhelm the Champ and keep him playing defense like so many of his previous foes? I don’t expect that to be the case, as Du Plessis has proven to have the style and skillset to adapt to whomever he is fighting and find ways to fight the way he wants to. Dricus Du Plessis continues to prove the doubters wrong each and every time he climbs into the octagon and I don’t expect this fight to be any different. Dricus will weather the early storm and start to take over as the fight progresses and gets to the championship rounds. Ultimately, I see the champ winning on the scorecards in a fairly straightforward unanimous fashion. (Prediction: Du Plessis)
Consensus: 3-0 Du Plessis
That’ll do it for our UFC 319 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, you can check out the full UFC 319 card below.
Main Card:
Middleweight Championship: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez
Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez
Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa
Welterweight: TUF Finale: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
Flyweight: TUF Finale: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales
The undefeated Chechen wrecking ball ‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev steps into UFC 319 Saturday night with an unblemished record and a reputation for absolute mayhem. Heading into his middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis in Chicago, let’s break down the five fights that transformed Khamzat Chimaev from unknown commodity to championship contender.
The Top 5 Khamzat Chimaev Fights in the UFC
5. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman (UFC 294)
The veteran test that proved Chimaev belonged in title conversations. Taking on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on short notice, Chimaev faced his first real adversity inside the octagon. After dominating the opening round with a 10-8 performance that nearly finished “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Chimaev discovered what happens when fights go past the first frame.
Usman rallied hard in rounds two and three, lighting up Chimaev with crisp boxing combinations and proving the hype train could be slowed. Chimaev’s cardio questions emerged as he visibly slowed, but his championship heart answered back. A late takedown in the final round sealed a majority decision victory (29-27, 29-27, 28-28).
This wasn’t the typical Chimaev destruction job. This was a grown man’s fight that showcased both his championship ceiling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxb8YwxRIWk
4. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland (UFC 279)
The submission clinic that reminded everyone why Chimaev is terrifying. After missing weight by eight pounds and causing chaos at the pre-fight press conference, Chimaev had something to prove against BJJ black belt Kevin Holland. He proved it in brutal fashion.
Holland never stood a chance. Chimaev shot for the takedown immediately, and what followed was two minutes of absolute grappling domination. The sequence of scrambles, transitions, and relentless pressure culminated in a D’Arce choke that forced Holland to tap at 2:13 of the first round.
Making a BJJ black belt look like a white belt on the mat is no small feat. Chimaev’s grappling IQ shined as he consistently stayed one step ahead of Holland’s defensive efforts. Weight cutting issues aside, this man remains a problem for anyone in his path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0dA0ntUMeg
3. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliang (UFC 267)
The comeback fight that included perhaps the most memorable moment in UFC history. After a year away due to COVID-19 complications, Chimaev returned at UFC 267 with something to prove. He proved it by literally carrying Li Jingliang around the octagon like luggage.
The iconic sequence saw Chimaev lift Li off the ground during a takedown attempt, carry him across the cage toward Dana White’s position, and have a casual conversation with the UFC president while holding a grown man in the air. White later revealed Chimaev was shouting things like “I’m going to fight everybody, I’ll fight Brock Lesnar, I don’t care who it is”.
After the theatrical display, Chimaev got back to business, securing a rear-naked choke at 3:16 of the first round. The submission capped a performance that was equal parts dominant and bizarre. Only Chimaev could turn a title elimination fight into performance art.
2. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker (UFC 308)
The jaw-breaking performance that announced Chimaev as a legitimate title contender. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker entered this fight riding momentum from wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov. He left with a broken jaw and three teeth displaced backward into his mouth.
Chimaev needed just 3:34 to secure the face crank submission that left Whittaker tapping frantically. The finish looked like a standard submission until the gruesome aftermath photos revealed the damage: a fractured mandible that required immediate medical attention.
“I felt something was wrong with his chin when I pushed it, so I feel bad for that,” Chimaev said afterward. The performance was clinical, dominant, and frankly uncomfortable to watch. It also erased any doubts about Chimaev’s readiness for a title shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlAuBhsCHyI
1. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns (UFC 273)
The fight that proved Chimaev was more than hype. Before this encounter, critics questioned whether the undefeated prospect could handle elite competition. Gilbert Burns, a former title challenger with legitimate knockout power, provided the perfect litmus test. What followed was 2022’s Fight of the Year.
The opening round showcased classic Chimaev domination with a picture-perfect jab that dropped Burns. But Burns roared back in the second round, landing bombs that visibly hurt Chimaev and scored his own knockdown. For the first time in his career, Chimaev was in a dogfight.
The final frame became an all-out war. Both men threw everything they had, exchanging heavy shots while their corners screamed instructions. Chimaev’s durability and heart shined as he absorbed punishment and kept marching forward. When the final bell rang, both fighters embraced, knowing they had created something special.
The unanimous decision victory (29-28 across all scorecards) elevated both men. Burns proved he still belonged among the welterweight elite, while Chimaev proved he could win ugly when his usual dominance wasn’t available. The performance answered every question about his championship mettle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik3NiJ6lYlw
UFC 319
As Chimaev prepares for his title shot at UFC 319, these five fights tell the story of his progress from destroyer to complete mixed martial artist. The Gerald Meerschaert knockout and early finishes built the hype. The Burns war proved the substance behind it. Saturday night in Chicago, we find out if that substance includes championship gold.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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 believes his and Khamzat Chimaev’s resumes are incomparable.😳
"If you go look at me and Khamzat, he’s eight wins in the UFC, I’m nine. Just go compare our resumes, it’s ridiculous."
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.
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. “
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.
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.
They aren’t that bad but they’re not top tier either
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.
Khamzat Chimaev could make history for the Russian republic he comes from and a former UFC middleweight champion could see ‘Borz’ being a consistent competitor with defending his crown should he capture it. Chimaev will have that chance later this week on August 16th when he clashes with reigning 185 pound titleholder Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago.
A member of the UFC’s middleweight title lineage weighed in on this looming matchup when Michael Bisping spoke about Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner via his personal YouTube channel. When touching upon the hype train that the title challenger has been riding leading into this weekend and what could potentially transpire thereafter, Bisping said,
“It’s all well and good having a ton of potential. But if you don’t realize that potential, then none of it really matters. You come here, you have a few good wins, you dominate some people, you go viral for a few finishes, you pick up Li Jingliang and you have a conversation with Dana White, you just smoke all these people, but you don’t become the champion.”
“Then you’re just going to be forgotten about in years to come. Khamzat Chimaev wants to be a champion. He wants to be the first Chechen champion, and he wants to defend the belt, and he wants to be active.”
Khamzat Chimaev has his eyes on becoming a three division UFC champion
Khamzat Chimaev is pursuant of the middleweight crown later on this week but it’s not the only weight category that he has designs of conquering in the octagon. The undefeated mixed martial artist began his UFC tenure as a welterweight and seems to have designs to one day return to that weight class with a peripheral focus on one day becoming a champion at 205 pounds.
Addressing his future championship aspirations during an ESPN interview, Chimaev stated [via Sherdog],
“I work with a new coach. I talk to him about going down again, back to my first fights at 170. He said if they give me a couple months, we’re gonna make it. This Australian guy [welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena] would be a good fight for me. I go down, fight with him and could take the belt there.”
“If I go up, and there is [Magomed] Ankalaev and Alex Pereira — they are fighting now. I can fight for that belt as well.”
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has explained why Khamzat Chimaev‘s wrestling is so difficult to overcome.
In the main event of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev will finally get his shot at UFC gold. It’s a moment that he’s been waiting a long time for and in the eyes of many, he’s the favorite heading into this contest. Of course, we all know that Dricus du Plessis is going to put up a tough fight, and there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be able to retain the strap.
Alas, one of the reasons for the confidence in Khamzat Chimaev is due to his wrestling. He is so precise and powerful when he shoots and when he gets you to the ground, things can get dangerous pretty quickly.
In a recent analysis video, Demetrious Johnson broke down why Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling is so incredibly impressive.
Demetrious Johnson praises Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling
“Look how deep that shot was. He gets all the weight. He pushes the weight that way and it forces you to put your hands on the mat, which means you have to carry his weight. Then he’s also kicking out that leg, so he’s blocked this, but he’s also kicking the leg out too. He’s big for the division. He’s also longer than Robert Whittaker, so he’s able to do that as well, which puts Robert Whittaker on his butt and carrying all of Khamzat’s weight. And right now, Khamzat’s resting. He’s resting, carrying all that weight.”
“When you look at Khamzat, you have to look at him—when he jumps on you, you better be ready for the best, you better have the best wrestling, anti-wrestling, and fighting skill ready to rock and roll, because once he locks on, he’s going to be looking to go to that position, which I call home. He’s going to sit there and wait and then see what you’re going to do.
“Once you start to post, he’s going to take out that post, jump to the other side, take out the other post, get his hooks in, and beat you up until you give him your neck or neck crank, and he’s going to take it. That’s what he wants to do. He doesn’t want to do anything on the feet. If he could, he would wrestle all day every day.”
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.”
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.”
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?
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.
Khamzat Chimaev opens up about remembering death often 🥺😧
"I believe in God, so I wanna meet Him as well. Life is going really fast — I'm already 31. 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… pic.twitter.com/Wfy8Bk2X8s
“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.
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.”
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?
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.
On August 16, ‘Borz’ will look to cash in on his first title opportunity when he challenges reigning and defending middleweight world champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 316 in Chicago.
Chimaev’s impending title shot against ‘DDP’ has been a long time coming, but according to the undefeated Chechen monster, taking home the 185-pound crown is just the beginning of a journey that will see him make UFC and MMA history.
Khamzat Chimaev still has plans of becoming a triple champion 👀
“[Jack Della Maddalena] would be a good fight for me. Go down… take the belt there.
If I go up, there is Ankalaev and Alex Pereira… can fight for that belt as well.”
“Jack Della Maddalena would be a good fight for me,” Chimaev said, referencing the UFC’s reigning welterweight titleholder during an interview with ESPN. “Go down… take the belt there. If I go up, there is Ankalaev and Alex Pereira… can fight for that belt as well.”
Khamzat Chimaev has already talked to his coach about moving back down to 170
Chimaev kickstarted his UFC career competing at welterweight, but a massive weight-miss in September 2022 prompted the promotion to push him up to 185. Since then, ‘Borz’ has teased the possibility of moving back down.
“I work with a new coach and talk to him about going down again to 170,” Chimaev added. “He said gimme a couple months and I’m gonna make it. I don’t know who is the champ there, this Australian guy.”
Now, it sounds like he has his sights set on taking the light heavyweight belt before calling it a career.
Thus far, only one mixed martial artist has ever won three belts in the same company, that being ONE Championship superstar Anatoly Malykhin. ‘Sladkiy’ held the ONE middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight world titles simultaneously before surrendering his heavyweight crown to Senegal’s Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane in November.
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.
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t anticipate that he’ll be making an appearance on next summer’s planned UFC White House card.
For the longest time, it was unclear as to whether or not Khamzat Chimaev would ever be able to fight again the US. We had heard plenty of rumors and reports regarding why that was the case, but now, the issue appears to have been solved. On Saturday night, ‘Borz’ will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship – and he’ll do so in Chicago, Illinois.
There’s a lot of excitement in the air for this fight, as you can expect, and Khamzat Chimaev is considered by many to be the favorite. As previously mentioned, next year we will see the UFC put on a huge card at the White House. As you can imagine, plenty of fighters are eager to be part of that card.
Khamzat Chimaev, though, seems to believe that he isn’t destined to be part of the equation.
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t expect to fight at White House
“This wasn’t my bad. This wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev said about not fighting in the United States during an open workout interview with MMA Fighting on Wednesday. “Everyone knows I didn’t have the visa to the U.S. That’s why I didn’t fight only once in Abu Dhabi. So now Donald Trump is here, we go for a fight.”
“Look at my face. I don’t think so,” Chimaev said with a smile when asked about fighting at the White House. “They [would deport me] to an immigrant camp or whatever. I’m an athlete, a sportsman, all my life I’ve been training. Some people put me in a position like political shit and break my visa down and I don’t know why. I’m just doing for my family — fighting, training. Athletes don’t have to be with politics. I’m not connected.
“If somebody wants to meet me, I never say no. Why should they do that? It’s putting a lot of athletes in a bad position with this. This is a sport that [brings] all the guys together, [brings] all countries together but they want to do some different ways. I don’t know why. I would be happy if they give me a fight there but I don’t think so.”
