Du Plessis Has A Secret Weapon No One Has Ever Seen – And Khamzat Will Be The First To Take The Hit?

The anticipation for UFC 319 is reaching a fever pitch, and at the heart of it lies a middleweight clash that feels more like an explosion waiting to happen. Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, is set to defend his title against the undefeated and ferocious Khamzat Chimaev. But behind the usual fight hype, whispers are growing louder—Du Plessis may be hiding a secret weapon, and if rumors are true, Khamzat Chimaev will be the first to suffer its devastating impact.

For a fighter already known for breaking expectations and rewriting scripts, Du Plessis may have one more ace up his sleeve—and this time, it’s something no opponent has ever prepared for.

Let’s dive into what makes this showdown so unpredictable, and why this rumored “secret weapon” could change everything in the middleweight division.

The Champion No One Saw Coming

When Dricus Du Plessis arrived in the UFC, few predicted that the South African would rise so quickly to the top of the division. His unorthodox striking, relentless pace, and shocking durability have made him one of the most unpredictable forces in the octagon.

He shocked the world when he defeated Robert Whittaker, and silenced even more doubters when he dethroned Sean Strickland to become the UFC Middleweight Champion. But through all those fights, one thing remained consistent—Du Plessis never revealed his full arsenal.

“What you’ve seen so far is just a portion,” Du Plessis hinted recently in an interview. “I’ve kept something in my back pocket for the right opponent. And I believe Khamzat is the perfect one.”

What Is Du Plessis Hiding?

This “secret weapon” has become the stuff of speculation. Coaches have remained tight-lipped. Training footage is scarce. Du Plessis’ camp, based in South Africa, operates like a fortress. Unlike fighters at big U.S. gyms, his preparation happens away from the public eye.

Some speculate it’s a new submission technique, others suggest it’s a striking combination, or even a psychological gameplan designed specifically to unravel Khamzat Chimaev’s explosiveness.

What we do know is that Du Plessis has consistently evolved fight-to-fight—and he always brings something new.

“This isn’t about mind games,” said his head coach Morne Visser. “We’ve developed a strategy and a weapon that suits only one fight. And this is that fight.”

Khamzat Chimaev: The Beast That Can’t Be Tamed?

Of course, Khamzat Chimaev is no ordinary challenger. The Chechen-born Swedish fighter is undefeated, untouchable (so far), and unrelenting. His UFC record is spotless, and he’s mauled everyone from Li Jingliang to Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.

Chimaev is chaos personified—his style is explosive, his takedowns violent, and his attitude, feral. But critics note that he can sometimes be too aggressive, burning through energy and leaving gaps for the patient fighter.

“I kill everyone,” Chimaev famously said. “I don’t care who they are. I’ll smash Du Plessis like all the rest.”

Yet for the first time in his career, Chimaev may be walking into a trap. If Du Plessis is indeed hiding something new—something tailor-made to exploit Khamzat’s tendencies—this could be the fight where “Borz” finally breaks.

Battle of Styles: Chaos vs Calculated Carnage

This fight isn’t just about strength. It’s about strategy. Du Plessis has faced brawlers before—but Chimaev is different. He’s faster, hungrier, and unbeaten. But he’s also shown vulnerability in his fight with Gilbert Burns, where he ate several clean shots and was nearly dragged into deep water.

Du Plessis, on the other hand, has never lost in the UFC, has gone five rounds, and has shown an iron will and insane recovery powers. Add to that his unorthodox angles, constant movement, and his smothering pressure—it becomes clear that he’s not like anyone Khamzat has ever fought.

“I’m not going to be a deer in headlights,” Du Plessis said. “I’m not scared of his wrestling, not scared of his pace. I’ve got something ready for him.”

Could that “something” be the secret weapon? A counter? A trap? A weapon forged in the quiet gyms of Pretoria?

UFC Insiders: Something Feels Different

According to UFC Performance Institute staff who’ve seen Du Plessis in camp, the champ has been experimenting with unique training routines and new movement drills. One anonymous insider told MMA Junkie:

“He’s not just training to defend. He’s training to surprise. Whatever he’s working on, it’s not standard fight prep. It’s targeted.”

That aligns with reports that Du Plessis flew in multiple Khamzat-style wrestlers to replicate pressure-heavy takedowns, but also added elite Taekwondo and boxing experts to work on specific striking reactions.

That kind of fusion camp could result in one thing: an ambush plan.

South African Warrior Spirit: Fighting for More Than Gold

For Du Plessis, this is not just a title defense—it’s about putting South Africa on the map. The first-ever South African UFC champion is determined to defend his belt with pride and set an example for future African fighters.

“This is for my people, for my country,” he told UFC Countdown. “We’ve come from the shadows. Now we lead.”

He fights with passion, emotion, and purpose. And those intangibles could give him a mental edge against a fighter like Chimaev, who thrives on fear and dominance. Du Plessis isn’t afraid—and that’s dangerous.

Will Khamzat Walk into a Trap?

If there’s one flaw in Khamzat’s game, it’s overconfidence. His style demands respect but rarely shows it to others. Against Du Plessis, that swagger could be his undoing.

“He won’t see it coming,” Du Plessis said, cryptically. “It’ll hit him before he even knows he’s in a fight.”

That line has MMA Twitter in a frenzy. What is the champ planning? A flying knee? A slick guillotine? A custom-built counterpunch?

No one knows—but that’s what makes this fight so thrilling.

What’s on the Line: Legacy, Undefeated Records, and the Future of the Division

This fight will determine the true king of the middleweight division. If Du Plessis wins, he cements himself as the most underrated, clever, and adaptive champion the UFC has seen in years. If Khamzat wins, he becomes an unstoppable two-division contender and possible future GOAT.

More than gold is on the line—it’s legacy. It’s the future. It’s the moment when one man will emerge either exposed or elevated.

Prediction: The Element of Surprise Could Be Everything

No one truly knows what Du Plessis is hiding. And that’s the X-factor that could disrupt everything.

Chimaev might come in expecting the same Du Plessis who fought Strickland or Whittaker—but if a new weapon, strategy, or mindset is revealed mid-fight, it could throw him completely off balance.

That’s the power of unpredictability. And Du Plessis is the master of unexpected violence.