Chimaev Will Not Have the Right to Decide the Pace of the Fight – Du Plessis Will Control Everything

Heading into UFC 319, the spotlight may be shining brightly on Khamzat Chimaev, but Dricus Du Plessis is calmly standing his ground. The reigning UFC middleweight champion has made one thing crystal clear: when the cage door closes, he—not Chimaev—will control the pace of the fight.

With Chimaev’s reputation as an aggressive, suffocating grappler who blitzes opponents from the opening bell, many expect the Chechen-born phenom to overwhelm Du Plessis early. But the South African champion says otherwise.

“Everyone thinks Khamzat sets the tempo. Not in my fight. He won’t have the right to decide anything,” Du Plessis told reporters during fight week.

This isn’t just pre-fight banter. It’s a declaration of war on Chimaev’s game plan.

The Narrative: Chimaev Dictates, Du Plessis Reacts? Not This Time

Since joining the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has bulldozed nearly everyone in his path. His style is chaotic, urgent, and violent. He doesn’t wait. He sprints across the Octagon and forces his opponent to fight on his terms.

That’s the narrative. But Du Plessis has no intention of playing along.

The South African star knows exactly what people expect: Chimaev shoots, scores the takedown, and dominates from top position. But Du Plessis isn’t intimidated. In fact, he’s ready to flip the script and put Chimaev on the defensive.

“If you let Khamzat decide how the fight goes, you’ve already lost,” Du Plessis said. “But I won’t give him that power. He’ll react to me.”

Du Plessis Has Mastered Controlled Chaos

While Chimaev is known for his wild, explosive style, Dricus Du Plessis has quietly developed one of the most effective pressure games in the UFC. It’s not flashy—but it’s relentless. He combines awkward striking with surprising power, and when he gets rolling, he suffocates opponents in his own way.

Against fighters like Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Sean Strickland, Du Plessis imposed his will with gritty combinations, clinch work, and tenacious control of distance.

What makes his pressure different from Chimaev’s is intentionality. Chimaev storms. Du Plessis builds pressure like a vice, tightening the grip with every exchange.

“He doesn’t fight pretty, but he fights smart,” said UFC analyst Laura Sanko. “He breaks people down piece by piece.”

That approach is exactly what Du Plessis believes will neutralize Chimaev’s round-one fury.

Grappling Showdown: Underrated Du Plessis vs. Elite Chimaev

It’s no secret that Chimaev’s ground game is elite. His wrestling, top control, and submissions make him one of the most dangerous grapplers in the UFC. But what many fans overlook is that Du Plessis is no slouch on the mat.

Before arriving in the UFC, the South African held multiple submission wins and trained extensively in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. His grappling is strong, and his scramble ability is even better.

Du Plessis isn’t entering UFC 319 just trying to avoid the takedown. He’s prepared to engage in grappling exchanges and use them to wear Chimaev down.

“He’s not the only one who knows how to wrestle,” Du Plessis said. “If he wants to clinch or go to the ground, we’ll go—but on my terms.”

Cardio Concerns Favor Du Plessis Over Five Rounds

Perhaps the most important factor in this title fight is conditioning.

Chimaev has rarely been tested past the second round. His war with Gilbert Burns raised questions about how he performs in longer fights. Against Kevin Holland, the bout ended before cardio even became a factor.

But Du Plessis thrives in long, ugly battles. His win over Sean Strickland went the distance. His fight against Derek Brunson tested his stamina. He’s proven he can absorb damage, recover, and push the pace deep into championship rounds.

“I get stronger every round,” Du Plessis said. “Khamzat fades. He’s never had someone keep coming forward after round two. He will now.”

This could be a massive turning point if the fight reaches the third, fourth, or fifth round. While Chimaev tends to explode early, Du Plessis plays the long game—and that’s where he believes the war will be won.

Mind Games and Mental Warfare

One of the less visible yet powerful weapons in this matchup is mental toughness.

Khamzat Chimaev is intense, vocal, and intimidating. He overwhelms opponents psychologically before the first punch is thrown. But Du Plessis is immune to pressure.

Throughout his UFC journey, Du Plessis has fought on hostile soil, faced doubters, and endured brutal wars. And each time, he emerged victorious—not because he’s faster or flashier—but because he refuses to break.

“Khamzat can scream, charge, and flex all he wants,” Du Plessis shrugged. “None of that works on me.”

By staying composed and forcing Chimaev to adjust to him, Du Plessis could win the mental battle before the physical one is even halfway over.

Du Plessis Predicts Frustration Will Break Chimaev

Chimaev has built his entire career on controlling the pace, dominating early, and finishing quickly. What happens if that fails?

Du Plessis thinks he knows.

“He’ll get frustrated. He’s not used to missing shots, getting reversed, being pushed back,” Du Plessis explained. “That’s when fighters break—and I’ll be right there when it happens.”

The South African champion believes that Chimaev’s emotional style is a double-edged sword. If things go his way, he looks unstoppable. But if he’s frustrated, tired, or surprised by resistance, his decision-making suffers.

That’s exactly what Du Plessis plans to exploit.

Game Plan: Stop the Storm, Then Start the Grind

For Du Plessis, the blueprint is simple—survive early, then dominate late.

The first round is about weathering Chimaev’s onslaught. Stay calm, use footwork, clinch when needed, and deny clean takedowns.

From round two onward, Du Plessis will turn up the pressure, drag Chimaev into deep water, and test whether the “Borz” can swim when the tide shifts.

“I’m going to be in his face,” Du Plessis said. “Every time he looks to rest, I’ll make him work. Every time he slows down, I’ll speed up. It’s my fight to control.”

Du Plessis Sees Chimaev’s Aura as Hype, Not Substance

To many fans, Khamzat Chimaev is a monster—undefeated, violent, terrifying. But Du Plessis isn’t buying the myth.

He respects Chimaev’s skills but believes the hype has blinded people to glaring holes in his game.

“He fought one real war—against Gilbert Burns—and almost lost,” Du Plessis pointed out. “He’s never been in a real five-round dogfight. I live there.”

By stripping away the aura and exposing Chimaev’s inexperience in long fights, Du Plessis plans to walk out of UFC 319 with his title and the last word.

Final Thoughts: The Champion Has Spoken

Khamzat Chimaev may believe he can storm the throne, but Dricus Du Plessis is ready to prove he’s the immovable object in this equation.

With iron will, underrated tools, and championship poise, Du Plessis won’t let Chimaev set the terms of this war. He’ll fight his fight—on his schedule—and force Chimaev to do something he’s never had to do:

Adapt. Survive. Chase.

The champion isn’t just defending the belt. He’s defending his identity as the man who breaks others—not the one who gets broken.

Would you like a follow-up article from Du Plessis’s corner perspective after the fight or a scouting analysis of how Chimaev’s past opponents failed to control pace against him?