Dricus Du Plessis could win if he lasts until round 5, but if Khamzat Chimaev choked him before round 3 – only ref can save

Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, has never been one to shy away from a challenge. With his relentless pressure, ironclad durability, and an unwavering belief in himself, he has carved a unique path to the top of the division. Now, as talks of a potential showdown with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev heat up, Du Plessis has made his stance crystal clear—he doesn’t see Chimaev as the terrifying force that many in the MMA community believe him to be.

“Everyone thinks Khamzat is a monster. That’s fine. But I don’t see him that way,” Du Plessis said in a recent interview. “To me, I see one thing—an opportunity. An opportunity to build my legacy. An opportunity to make my name even greater.”

His words have sparked debates across the MMA world, with fans and analysts weighing in on the potential clash between two of the most dangerous men in the division. Would Chimaev’s grappling-heavy style overwhelm the South African champion, or would Du Plessis’ power, endurance, and relentless pressure break the hype surrounding the Chechen fighter?

This article will break down why this fight could be one of the biggest in UFC history, analyzing the styles, strengths, and weaknesses of both fighters, and what it means for the future of the middleweight division.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Undefeated Juggernaut

Since his UFC debut, Khamzat Chimaev has been nothing short of dominant. With a perfect professional record and multiple first-round finishes, he has bulldozed through opponents in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. His wrestling is suffocating, his striking is explosive, and his confidence is unmatched.

Perhaps most famously, Chimaev has popularized his own catchphrase, “I smesh, I smesh,” reflecting his belief that no fighter can stand against his relentless attack. He has called out champions in multiple divisions, and many believe he is a future titleholder, if not in middleweight, then at welterweight or light heavyweight.

However, despite his dominance, some cracks in his invincibility have begun to appear.

Challenging the Aura of Invincibility

Du Plessis pointed to two fights in particular that challenge the notion of Chimaev being an unstoppable force:

• Kamaru Usman vs. Chimaev (UFC 294) Usman, a career welterweight and former champion, accepted the fight against Chimaev on just 10 days’ notice. Despite the disadvantage, Usman survived the early onslaught and won the final round, showing that Chimaev can struggle when facing experienced fighters who don’t back down.
• Gilbert Burns vs. Chimaev (UFC 273): Burns, another former welterweight, took Chimaev into deep waters in a brutal three-round war. Despite his reputation for mauling opponents, Chimaev was forced into a striking battle and barely edged out a decision victory.

“If you look at what Kamaru did to Chimaev with just 10 days to prepare, or what Gilbert Burns did before that, you realize that experienced fighters aren’t afraid of his hype,” Du Plessis said. “The ‘I smesh’ thing doesn’t work on everyone. That’s not how fighting works.”

Dricus Du Plessis: The Undeniable Force

While Chimaev has built his reputation through sheer dominance, Du Plessis has done it through sheer toughness and willpower. His UFC run has been nothing short of spectacular, featuring wins over high-level competition, including former champions like Robert Whittaker.

What makes Du Plessis such a dangerous opponent?

• Unbreakable Durability: In multiple fights, Du Plessis has absorbed heavy damage but continued pressing forward, seemingly unfazed. His ability to take punishment and keep attacking is a rare trait that few fighters possess.
• Cardio and Pressure: While many fighters fade as fights go on, Du Plessis thrives in deep waters. His pressure often overwhelms opponents who aren’t prepared for his relentless style.
• Power and Versatility: Despite being known for his grit, Du Plessis is also a dangerous striker with knockout power. His ability to mix in grappling when needed adds to his unpredictability.

Perhaps his most impressive performance came against Robert Whittaker, a fight where Du Plessis was an underdog. Instead of playing into Whittaker’s striking advantage, he broke the former champion down with power shots and relentless pressure, finishing him in the second round.

“People keep underestimating me, but that’s fine. I love proving people wrong,” Du Plessis said after the fight. “I’m here to fight the best, and I’m here to win.”

How Would a Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Fight Play Out?

Grappling Battle or Stand-Up War?

One of the biggest questions in this potential fight is whether Chimaev would be able to take Du Plessis down and control him. While Chimaev has dominated most opponents on the ground, Du Plessis has shown solid takedown defense and the ability to scramble back to his feet.

If Chimaev can secure early takedowns, he may be able to smother Du Plessis and control the fight. However, if Du Plessis survives the early rounds and keeps the fight standing, his power and pressure could make things extremely uncomfortable for Chimaev.

The Cardio Factor

Another key factor is cardio. While Chimaev has finished many of his fights early, he has shown signs of fatigue in longer fights—most notably against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.

Du Plessis, on the other hand, seems to get stronger as fights go on. If he can drag Chimaev into the later rounds, he could have a major advantage.

The Psychological Battle

Chimaev thrives on intimidation. His aggressive persona and trash talk often break opponents before they even step into the cage. However, Du Plessis has never been one to be intimidated. If he refuses to back down—both physically and mentally—Chimaev may find himself in an unfamiliar situation.

What’s at stake?

A fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev isn’t just another main event—it could define the future of the middleweight division.

• For Du Plessis: A victory over Chimaev would silence any remaining doubters and establish him as the true king of the division. It would add a massive name to his resume and further build his legacy.
• For Chimaev: This would be his chance to prove that he truly belongs at the top of the middleweight division. If he dominates Du Plessis, it would erase any doubts from his fights against Usman and Burns.
• For the UFC: This is a blockbuster fight that could generate huge pay-per-view numbers. It’s a battle between two undefeated UFC fighters in the middleweight division—a rare and highly marketable showdown.

Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?

While Chimaev has the grappling advantage and a history of early finishes, Du Plessis has the power, endurance, and mental toughness to weather the storm and drag the fight into deep waters.

Ultimately, this fight may come down to one key question: Can Chimaev finish Du Plessis early, or will Du Plessis survive and take over as the fight progresses?

One thing is certain—if these two warriors step into the Octagon together, UFC fans are in for a war.

Regardless of the outcome, this fight has the potential to be one of the biggest and most exciting matchups in middleweight history. Whether it happens next or later down the line, the stage is set for an epic battle between two of the toughest fighters in the sport.