Before UFC 319, Du Plessis Attacks Chimaev: ‘The Gray Wolf Will Run Out of Breath After the First Round’!

The verbal warfare has begun ahead of UFC 319, and Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis is making sure the mind games are in full effect. With just weeks remaining before he defends his title against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, Du Plessis launched a scathing verbal attack, questioning Chimaev’s cardio and predicting a one-round collapse for the feared contender.

“The Gray Wolf will run out of breath after the first round, just like he always does. Then, I’ll finish what he started,” Du Plessis declared during a fiery interview on MMA Hour.

As the MMA world gears up for UFC 319, set to take place in Chicago, tensions between the two warriors have never been higher. This isn’t just a title fight—it’s personal. It’s about legacy, dominance, and proving who truly belongs at the top of the UFC Middleweight division.

Dricus Du Plessis: A Champion Who Thrives as the Underdog

Dricus Du Plessis, also known as “Stillknocks,” shocked the world when he dethroned Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to claim the Middleweight crown. While fans and analysts questioned his awkward striking and supposed lack of gas tank, Du Plessis delivered a gritty five-round war that silenced many critics.

But as UFC 319 approaches, Du Plessis finds himself once again in the underdog role—this time against a monster named Khamzat Chimaev.

“People said I’d get tired, that I couldn’t go five rounds. Well, I proved them wrong against Strickland. Chimaev? He can’t even make it to round three without breathing heavy.”

This is vintage Du Plessis: using criticism as fuel, embracing chaos, and turning doubters into believers.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Undefeated Wolf in the Crosshairs

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev is 13-0 for a reason. The Chechen-born wrecking machine has stormed through two weight classes, annihilating elite fighters like Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman, and most recently, Robert Whittaker.

But despite his dominance, there has always been one lingering question: Can Chimaev maintain his pace in a five-round war?

His three-round scrap with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 showcased his vulnerability when forced into deep waters. While he won the fight, many noted that his explosiveness dipped in the later rounds. Du Plessis is clearly banking on that happening again.

“He’s a front-runner. When he doesn’t get you out early, he breaks. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. And at UFC 319, I’ll exploit it.”

The War of Words: Fuel for a Firestorm

The trash talk ahead of UFC 319 has escalated to an all-out psychological battle. While Chimaev has largely remained stoic, focused in his mountain-based training camp in Kislovodsk, Du Plessis has taken to every available microphone to poke, prod, and provoke.

“Chimaev lives in a fantasy. He thinks he’s unbeatable. But this is the real world. In Chicago, the Gray Wolf gets hunted.”

Du Plessis’ bold prediction that Chimaev will gas out after one round has ignited debates across social media. Fans are now dissecting Chimaev’s past fights, analyzing his breathing, pace, and recovery under pressure.

Chimaev’s Mountain Training Camp: An Answer to the Criticism?

In response to concerns about his cardio, Khamzat Chimaev has taken extreme measures. For his UFC 319 fight camp, he relocated to a secluded Olympic base in the mountains of Russia, used historically to train Soviet athletes ahead of the 1980 Olympics.

The high-altitude environment and spartan conditions are part of a calculated effort to transform his endurance and sharpen his mental resilience.

“No distractions. Just pain, just work. I’ll be ready for 25 minutes, or 25 hours if needed,” Chimaev said in a recent interview.

This camp marks a departure from his previous camps in Sweden and Dubai, signaling a new level of seriousness in his approach to becoming Middleweight champion.

Du Plessis’ Strategy: Survive Early, Destroy Late

Dricus Du Plessis’ path to victory is clear—weather the early storm and take Chimaev into the later rounds, where his own superior conditioning and unorthodox style can take over.

His fights against Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker showed that he thrives in unpredictable chaos. He mixes kicks, elbows, and awkward angles that make him a difficult puzzle to solve—even for elite strikers.

“Everyone says my style is ugly. Ugly wins fights. Chimaev will find out the hard way,” Du Plessis warned.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher at UFC 319

With the Middleweight title on the line, this isn’t just about gold—it’s about legacy.

If Chimaev wins:

• He becomes the first undefeated Middleweight champion since Israel Adesanya’s early reign

• Opens the door to superfights at Welterweight or even Light Heavyweight

• Takes a massive step toward the double champ dream

If Du Plessis retains:

• He legitimizes his title reign against the most feared man in the division

• Becomes the face of the new Middleweight era

• Sets up potential mega-fights with Adesanya or Cannonier

Fighters React to Du Plessis’ Comments

Several UFC fighters and analysts have weighed in on Du Plessis’ comments:

Michael Bisping:

“He’s playing the mind game well. Questioning Chimaev’s gas tank is smart. It’s a psychological war as much as a physical one.”

Belal Muhammad:

“If Chimaev gasses, Du Plessis can absolutely take over. But that’s a big if. This new Chimaev might be different.”

Chael Sonnen:

“Du Plessis is trying to bait Chimaev into a fast start. If Chimaev takes the bait, it could backfire on either man.”

Fight Night Expectations: Will the Gray Wolf Get Hunted?

UFC 319 is shaping up to be a stylistic clash of epic proportions. Chimaev’s aggressive wrestling and knockout power will be pitted against Du Plessis’ durability, awkward timing, and seemingly endless gas tank.

Here are the three key questions heading into the bout:

1. Has Chimaev fixed his cardio issues?

2. Can Du Plessis survive the early barrage?

3. Will emotion and trash talk impact game plans?

If Du Plessis’ prediction holds true, and Chimaev indeed fades after five minutes, the fight becomes a battleground of attrition. But if Chimaev has truly leveled up his endurance, he may be more dangerous than ever.

Final Prediction: Verbal Warfare Meets Violent Reality

As the days tick down to UFC 319, expect more verbal fireworks—and even more intensity when the cage door closes.

Du Plessis is betting the house on cardio, chaos, and durability.

Chimaev is betting on explosive destruction and a new version of himself forged in the mountains.

One will emerge as king. The other may never be the same again.

Official Prediction: Chimaev via TKO in Round 3—but only if the Gray Wolf proves his lungs are as dangerous as his fangs.