Dricus Du Plessis : I’ll tear apart Khamzat Chimaev’s ugly, scarred mouth, making him hurt so bad he’ll have to tap out

The buzz is deafening, and rightfully so. Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, is gearing up for one of the most highly anticipated title defenses of the year. At UFC 319, he will square off against the undefeated and fearsome challenger Khamzat Chimaev in a bout that could shake the foundations of the middleweight division. This isn’t just another championship fight—this is a stylistic clash, a mental war, and a pivotal moment in the legacy of both fighters.

The Road to UFC 319

For Dricus Du Plessis, the journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. The South African warrior, known for his unorthodox movement and gritty endurance, has risen through the ranks by toppling some of the division’s biggest names—Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and most notably Israel Adesanya. With a professional record of 22-2, Du Plessis has proven that he doesn’t just win—he breaks his opponents down systematically.

But now, he faces a new kind of beast: Khamzat Chimaev.

The Chechen-born Swedish powerhouse has stormed through two weight classes with terrifying dominance. At 14-0, Chimaev has mauled nearly everyone he’s faced, using a suffocating wrestling game and explosive finishes to dismantle the competition. He’s manhandled the likes of Kamaru Usman, Kevin Holland, and Gilbert Burns—and now, he wants Du Plessis’s gold.

What’s at Stake

For Du Plessis, this isn’t just about defending the belt—it’s about respect. Many pundits have labeled him the underdog, despite his champion status. He’s aware of it, and he’s using it as fuel.

| DRICUS DU PLESSIS: People still think I’m lucky to be here. They don’t see the hard work. But I’m going to make sure they feel it at UFC 319.

Chimaev, on the other hand, sees UFC 319 as the coronation he believes he’s long deserved. With his meteoric rise, he’s already talked about fighting for the light heavyweight belt next. But first, he has to get through Du Plessis.

| KHAMZAT CHIMAEV: This guy is strong, but he’s not ready for what I bring. I finish people. That’s what I do.

Fighting Styles & Breakdown

The stylistic matchup in UFC 319 is one for the purists and casuals alike. On one side, you have Chimaev, the explosive grappler with relentless pressure and raw power. On the other, Du Plessis, the awkwardly effective striker who uses cardio, timing, and toughness to drown opponents over time.

Chimaev typically opens up with takedown attempts in the first 30 seconds. His ability to keep opponents on the mat and control their movements is what makes him so dangerous. He rarely lets fights go the distance.

But Du Plessis thrives in the chaos of later rounds. His fight against Adesanya saw him take damage early, only to come back stronger. His strength lies not in knockout power but in overwhelming volume and sheer will.

MMA analyst John Anik offered this insight:

| JOHN ANIK: Chimaev’s path to victory is clear—get Dricus down early and finish him. But if Du Plessis makes it to round three, it’s anybody’s fight.

Champs’ Corner: Du Plessis’ Camp Strategy

Team Du Plessis is reportedly focusing heavily on takedown defense and movement. His longtime coach Morne Visser has brought in Olympic-level wrestlers to mimic Chimaev’s relentless style. They’re also training at high altitude in Colorado to sharpen cardio—betting big that if they can take Chimaev into deep waters, the undefeated hype train might just sink.

| MORNE VISSER: We’re not looking to survive—we’re looking to win. Dricus doesn’t back down. That’s why he’s champion.

A major concern has been Chimaev‘s gas tank. In his fight with Gilbert Burns, he visibly slowed in the third round. If Du Plessis can absorb the early storm, he may turn this fight into a war of attrition—a type of fight he thrives in.

Chimaev’s Camp and the Wolf Mentality

Meanwhile, the Chimaev camp is as confident as ever. Training with elite athletes like Alexander Gustafsson and Darren Till, his preparation remains rooted in high-intensity sparring and mental conditioning. Chimaev’s coaches believe he can finish Du Plessis within two rounds—by submission or TKO.

| ANDREAS MICHAEL (Chimaev’s Coach): We don’t train to win decisions. We train to dominate. Dricus is tough, but he hasn’t faced Khamzat.

This mindset is what makes Chimaev both terrifying and slightly vulnerable. Overconfidence has cost many great fighters before.

Fan Reactions & Media Buzz

Social media is split. Some fans see Du Plessis as the division’s most underrated champion in years, while others believe Chimaev is the rightful king in waiting.

UFC 319 is trending worldwide, with hashtags like #DuPlessisVsChimaev and #UFC319TitleFight dominating X (formerly Twitter). UFC president Dana White has dubbed it:

| DANA WHITE: One of the biggest middleweight fights in UFC history. This is going to be insane.

Media coverage from ESPN, BT Sport, and MMAFighting have hyped the event, placing it on par with previous mega-fights like Silva vs Sonnen II and Adesanya vs Pereira.

Legacy on the Line

This isn’t just about a belt. For Du Plessis, it’s a chance to cement himself as one of the greatest middleweights of the modern era. For Chimaev, it’s the moment to transition from prospect to legend.

A win for Du Plessis silences every critic and makes it impossible to ignore his reign. A win for Chimaev would launch him into superstardom—and perhaps, a multi-division title run.

| DRICUS DU PLESSIS: They’ve called me lucky. After UFC 319, they’ll call me undeniable.

| KHAMZAT CHIMAEV: I take what I want. The belt is next.

Potential Outcomes & What Comes Next

1. Du Plessis wins via Decision or Late TKO: He proves he can weather the Chimaev storm and becomes the UFC’s newest ironman.

2. Chimaev wins via Submission or KO (Round 1-2): His dominance continues, and a shot at the light heavyweight belt may be next.

3. Controversial Draw: It’s rare but possible, especially if both fighters have moments of brilliance.

Who’s next? A rematch with Adesanya? A superfight with Khamzat at light heavyweight? Or a new contender like Bo Nickal or Ikram Aliskerov?

UFC 319 isn’t just another card. It’s a collision of styles, countries, egos, and destinies. Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev will go down in history regardless of outcome. The only question is: Who walks out with gold around their waist?