“Chimaev is about to fall, can’t you see?” – Unusual signs that make viewers believe Du Plessis will finish him off

In just a few months, Khamzat Chimaev has gone from being one of the UFC’s most feared undefeated warriors to a fighter whose aura of invincibility is showing visible cracks. Ahead of the highly anticipated title bout against Dricus Du Plessis, fans, analysts, and even former fighters are starting to question whether Chimaev’s time at the top is nearing an end. The question on everyone’s lips: “Is Chimaev already fading — and are we just now noticing?”

The Beginning of the Unraveling

Let’s rewind a bit.

Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene like a storm. He dominated opponents with such ease that fans started whispering “champion” before he had even faced a ranked contender. His blend of Dagestani-style grappling with raw aggression made him terrifying.

But lately, something’s been off.

The Diaz Incident: A Hidden Red Flag

Most fans remember the chaos surrounding the scheduled bout between Chimaev and Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in 2022. What’s lesser discussed is what Chimaev’s last-minute weight miss (by 7.5 pounds) revealed about his discipline.

| UFC Analyst: He wasn’t just off weight. He was off mentally. That’s the kind of thing you only see when a fighter loses grip on their own preparation.

Since then, Chimaev’s frequency in the cage has slowed. He fought only once in 2023, and his matchup with Kamaru Usman ended in a close — some say questionable — decision. Suddenly, fans began to question the hype.

The Body Language Breakdown

Footage from Chimaev’s recent training camps has added fuel to the fire.

In a clip that went viral on X (formerly Twitter), Chimaev is seen sitting on the mat after a grappling round, his shoulders slouched, his breathing heavy, and his coach visibly frustrated.

| Coach: Don’t let the tired beat you. You’re letting it in. You’re letting it win.

For a fighter once celebrated for his relentless cardio and mental toughness, this was a worrying sign.

“He’s Not the Same Animal” – Former Fighters Speak Out

| Daniel Cormier: I don’t see that wild fire in him anymore. That dog in him — it’s not barking like it used to.

| Michael Bisping: I love Khamzat’s game, but you can’t hide fatigue in the Octagon. And lately, he looks… human.

When former champions, who’ve lived the grind, begin voicing doubts, it’s hard to ignore. Chimaev’s energy has shifted from invincible to vulnerable.

The Fan Pulse: A Tidal Wave of Doubt

A recent fan poll conducted by MMAOrbit shocked many in the industry:
Over 80% of respondents believe Du Plessis will defeat Chimaev.

That’s not just a prediction — that’s a collapse of faith in a fighter who once terrified the roster.

| Fan on Reddit: Chimaev’s not the boogeyman anymore. He’s just a guy with hype and holes. Du Plessis will expose them.

Meanwhile, Du Plessis is Peaking

While Chimaev has faced interruptions, injuries, and inconsistent momentum, Dricus Du Plessis has done the exact opposite.

• He dismantled Robert Whittaker with shocking precision.

• He outlasted and overwhelmed Sean Strickland in a brutal title war at UFC 297.

• He’s made it clear that he’s not afraid of the hype.

| DU PLESSIS: I’ve beaten monsters before. Chimaev is just the next one.

Du Plessis has become the UFC’s king of durability, constantly improving, always pressing forward. Against a faltering Chimaev, he smells blood.

Chimaev’s Mounting Pressure and Identity Crisis

For fighters like Chimaev, whose brand has been built around dominance, the slightest slip becomes magnified.

He once roared “I kill everybody!” at press conferences. But today, he sounds more reserved, calculated — even uncertain. In his latest interview with BT Sport, Chimaev said:

| CHIMAEV: People expect me to be a monster every time. But I’m human too.

That may be true. But humans don’t win belts. Monsters do.

The Fight IQ Gap?

Technically, Chimaev remains elite. But against Du Plessis, who has proven himself a master of adaptation and pressure fighting, strategy will matter.

Chimaev has often relied on blitzes and chaos. If that doesn’t work early, does he have the patience and pacing to go five rounds?

| DU PLESSIS: He fights like it’s always round one. But what happens in round four?

Fans Have Noticed the Little Things

In the MMA world, the fans watch closely — sometimes even more closely than analysts. And fans have noticed:

• A slower walk to the cage.

• Less intensity in the staredowns.

• A calm that feels more like hesitation than focus.

| Twitter User @mma4real: Something’s changed in Chimaev. Can’t explain it. But you’ll see it too on fight night.

Social Media Silence and “Missing” Chimaev

One other oddity: Chimaev has been less active online.

His Instagram, once filled with gym wars and callouts, now shows only snippets of quiet training and personal reflection. No fire. No fury.

Even his callout to Du Plessis lacked venom.

| CHIMAEV: We fight. That’s all. We see who is better.

This is a far cry from the man who used to scream “I smash everybody!”

The X-Factor: Health Issues and Rumors

Some insiders claim Chimaev has been battling lingering health concerns, particularly after contracting COVID in 2021 and suffering a rough recovery. Others hint at undisclosed injuries affecting his training.

| Ariel Helwani: There have been whispers about camps not going smoothly. And where there’s smoke in MMA, there’s usually fire.

The Energy Doesn’t Lie

Energy matters in combat sports. Fighters ride waves of belief — their own and that of the crowd.

Right now, the crowd has turned. Not with hate, but with prophecy.

| Joe Rogan: You just feel it. Like the tide is turning. Like Chimaev’s moment is behind him and Du Plessis is about to walk through the door.

What Happens If Chimaev Loses?

If Chimaev loses to Du Plessis, it won’t just be a notch in the loss column. It would mark the official end of the myth. The wolf would become mortal.

And for a fighter who built his brand on fear, that could be catastrophic.

| DU PLESSIS: Once the fear is gone, there’s nothing left.

Final Thoughts – “The Fall of the Wolf?”

It’s still too early to bury Khamzat Chimaev — the fight hasn’t happened yet. But the signs are there: slowed training, broken rhythm, shaken confidence, and a hungry, peaking opponent in Dricus Du Plessis.

For the first time since he entered the UFC, the majority of the MMA community believes Chimaev will lose.

And maybe, just maybe — they’re right.

A rising Du Plessis, a fading Chimaev, and a fanbase that smells the end before it even begins. UFC 320 might not just be a fight. It might be a funeral for the boogeyman we thought would never die.