A forbidden technique in the gym has just been perfected by Du Plessis – and it could be what brings Khamzat down for the first time

In the ever-volatile world of MMA, where legacies are forged inside the octagon and one mistake can shatter dreams, something dark is brewing in the shadows. Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, has reportedly mastered a “forbidden technique” during closed training sessions—a move so brutal, so controversial, that few dare practice it openly. And now, it may be the very weapon that ends Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated reign at UFC 319.

Welcome to the calm before the war.

Du Plessis: The Warrior with No Fear

Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis is not a man who plays it safe. The South African brute has bulldozed through the middleweight division with relentless pressure, superhuman cardio, and a fight IQ far sharper than many first believed. From taking down Robert Whittaker to dethroning Sean Strickland in a bloodbath, Du Plessis has cemented his place at the top of the mountain.

But it’s not just brute force anymore.

Insiders close to the CIT Performance Institute in Pretoria, where Du Plessis trains, have whispered of a new development. A maneuver once deemed too dangerous, even in training, has been refined and perfected. It’s a move inspired not by flash but by devastation—something that exploits a specific vulnerability in Khamzat Chimaev’s aggressive style.

And yes—it’s legal. Barely.

The Origins of the Forbidden Technique

Let’s get this straight: this “forbidden technique” is not illegal under UFC rules. But it carries such a high risk of injury, it’s typically avoided in high-level sparring—out of respect for both partners and longevity.

What is it?

Sources say it’s a hybrid variation of a standing cross-collar ankle reap—a rare grappling technique that combines trip timing, posture-breaking, and lateral torque. It’s designed to weaponize your opponent’s forward pressure against them, slamming them off-balance and exposing their base to brutal follow-up strikes or submissions. It’s a cousin to judo’s ashi guruma, but with a modern MMA twist. When executed correctly, it bypasses standard takedown defense and leaves even the most feral fighter stunned on the mat.

And Du Plessis is landing it in live sparring.

Why It’s Dangerous for Khamzat

Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated. The “Chechen Wolf” thrives on chaos, aggression, and pressure. From his debut, he’s smothered opponents with terrifying clinch control and slamming takedowns. His relentless drive has broken fighters both physically and mentally. But it comes with a cost.

Chimaev rushes.

He overcommits.

He trusts in overwhelming force.

And that’s precisely what this new technique feeds on.

The move doesn’t require speed—it requires timing. When Khamzat bursts forward, expecting to dominate the clinch, Du Plessis can activate the reap, off-balancing the Wolf and sending him crashing down—hard. In previous fights, Chimaev has shown moments of wild posture when transitioning between strikes and grappling. That moment of imbalance could be the crack in his armor.

Training Secrets Leaked from Pretoria

Multiple training partners—speaking anonymously—have confirmed that Du Plessis has been drilling this technique relentlessly. What’s shocking is not just the frequency, but the effectiveness. Even elite grapplers brought into his camp have reportedly been dumped unceremoniously onto the mat.

“He’s turning your own momentum into a trap,” one source stated. “You think you’re pressing forward, and suddenly your leg is gone, your hip’s turned, and boom—you’re down.”

Du Plessis is also working with specialists in biomechanical leverage and Greco-Roman foot sweeps. The focus isn’t on submitting Chimaev—it’s about rattling him, disrupting rhythm, and making him question every rush forward.

Khamzat’s Biggest Threat Yet

This fight is not like anything Chimaev has faced before.

Yes, he’s crushed seasoned names like Kevin Holland and Li Jingliang, and he narrowly edged past Kamaru Usman on short notice. But Du Plessis is a full-size middleweight, in his prime, and carrying the power and technique to end things fast.

And most importantly, Du Plessis is not afraid of Khamzat.

Chimaev has benefited from intimidation. Fighters freeze up under his pressure. They try to survive instead of attacking. But Dricus won’t run. He’ll fight fire with fire—and trap aggression with design.

If the forbidden reap lands once, it might just shake Khamzat’s confidence. Twice, and it could change the fight. Three times? Chimaev might be looking at his first professional loss.

Psychological Warfare: The Silent Edge

Du Plessis hasn’t said much about the new weapon in his arsenal. He doesn’t need to. The silence is strategic. While Chimaev posts menacing training videos and wild-eyed quotes, Dricus has stayed quiet and calculated. That contrast is powerful.

It shows that he’s not reacting emotionally.

He’s planning.

He’s observing.

And he’s prepared.

“I’m not here to brawl. I’m here to end him, efficiently, and without emotion,” Du Plessis told MMAFighting in a recent interview.

It’s no longer just about being tougher—it’s about outsmarting the monster.

The UFC’s Most Unpredictable Showdown

UFC 319 may become the night Khamzat Chimaev meets his match. All the signs point to war. The fans are expecting a bloodbath, but what they might get is a chess match with a blade under the table.

If Du Plessis lands this technique in the opening round, it’ll instantly change the narrative. Chimaev may become hesitant. He may begin to question his blitzing style. And once that seed of doubt is planted, Du Plessis can begin to take over with ground-and-pound, control, and pressure of his own.

Even if the reap doesn’t end the fight, it might be the moment that turns the tide.

What If It Works? The Aftershock in the Division

If Dricus Du Plessis defeats Khamzat Chimaev, especially by neutralizing him with a rare, strategic technique, the ripple effect will be seismic.

• Du Plessis becomes more than just champion—he becomes the man who slayed the myth.

• Chimaev’s aura of invincibility is gone.

• The middleweight division gets flipped upside down.

• And suddenly, fighters won’t fear Khamzat—they’ll study him.

The “forbidden technique” could be more than a footnote. It could become part of Du Plessis’s legacy, like the oblique kick for Jon Jones, or the calf kick that changed Dustin Poirier’s trajectory.

And as the sport evolves, fighters who adapt like Du Plessis will rule it.

Conclusion: The Storm Is Coming

There are moments in combat sports history where a single move changes everything. Think Anderson Silva’s front kick on Vitor Belfort. Think Holly Holm’s head kick on Ronda Rousey. This could be one of those nights.

Dricus Du Plessis is not just walking into the octagon to defend his title. He’s walking in with a blueprint to dismantle one of the most feared men in UFC history.

If the forbidden reap works, we’ll be talking about it for years. If it fails, Chimaev will devour him like he’s done everyone else.

But make no mistake: something dangerous is coming to UFC 319—and it might just be a silent step and a violent fall.