Dricus Du Plessis made Sean O’Malley exclaim two words: ‘Impressive’ after his fight with Khamzat Chimaev.

The main event of UFC 319 in Chicago delivered one of the most dominant performances of the year, with Khamzat Chimaev dismantling former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis across five one-sided rounds. Chimaev’s suffocating grappling left Du Plessis with few opportunities to mount offense, as “Borz” racked up a near-record amount of control time on the mat. For many fans and analysts, it was a disappointing display from the South African, who had entered the bout with confidence after two successful title defenses.

But despite the harsh criticism that Du Plessis has faced in the aftermath of the loss, one current UFC champion has offered an unexpected take. Sean O’Malley, the UFC bantamweight king and one of the sport’s most outspoken stars, believes that Du Plessis deserves credit for surviving five full rounds with one of the most dangerous finishers in the game.

Sean O’Malley Impressed That Du Plessis Survived Against Chimaev

While the overwhelming narrative has centered around how comprehensively Chimaev dominated the fight, O’Malley chose to highlight something different. Speaking on the One Night with Steiny podcast, O’Malley explained that lasting the full 25 minutes with Khamzat Chimaev is a feat that should not be overlooked.

“To be honest, I don’t see anybody lasting as long as DDP did,” O’Malley said. “Like, DDP survived, which was impressive in itself. Khamzat is a finisher. He’s a killer.”

It’s true that Chimaev has built his reputation on finishing opponents with vicious ground-and-pound or quick submissions. He brutally submitted former champion Robert Whittaker last year and has consistently made top-tier fighters look helpless on the canvas. Against Du Plessis, he maintained dominant positions for nearly the entire fight, but Du Plessis’ refusal to quit caught O’Malley’s attention.

For a fighter often celebrated for his resilience and toughness, this kind of praise carries weight, especially given the criticism Du Plessis has faced since UFC 319.

The Backlash Against Du Plessis

In the eyes of many fans, Dricus Du Plessis failed to offer meaningful resistance. The South African had entered the fight riding high after back-to-back victories over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, both of which solidified his status as one of the most unpredictable and unorthodox champions in recent UFC memory.

But against Khamzat Chimaev, all of those strengths seemed to vanish. Instead, he looked smothered, neutralized, and unable to find any rhythm. Analysts criticized him for lacking urgency, for not preparing sufficiently for Chimaev’s grappling, and for allowing himself to be controlled for nearly the entire fight.

Still, while fans expected fireworks, O’Malley’s comments serve as a reminder of just how difficult Chimaev’s style is to deal with. Few fighters have the defensive durability and conditioning to survive 25 minutes against him, and Du Plessis, despite looking outmatched, did not fold under the pressure.

What’s Next for Dricus Du Plessis?

With the middleweight belt now in Chimaev’s possession, the question becomes: what’s next for Du Plessis? While he may have been dethroned in decisive fashion, his overall résumé and willingness to take on any challenge ensure he remains a major player in the 185-pound division.

Several names have been floated for his comeback fight, with some suggestions carrying more intrigue than others. Dan Hardy, former UFC title challenger and now analyst, initially pitched Du Plessis against Anthony Hernandez. The matchup made sense stylistically, but Hernandez is already booked to face Reinier de Ridder at UFC Vancouver in October.

That leaves other possibilities open, and one particularly interesting option was highlighted by another former UFC star.

Chael Sonnen Wants Du Plessis vs Paulo Costa

MMA legend and analyst Chael Sonnen has made a compelling case for Du Plessis to face Paulo Costa next. Costa, once a title challenger himself, is currently outside the top 10 of the middleweight rankings but remains a popular and dangerous opponent.

“I love it, I love the matchup,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “By the way, this is Paulo Costa’s callout, but I feel like he nailed it. Tell me a better fight — tell me a better fight for Dricus. In some ways, that is the perfect opponent for Dricus. Dricus is the perfect opponent for Paulo Costa.”

Costa is coming off a victory at UFC 318, where he defeated Roman Kopylov. The win ended a rough stretch for the Brazilian, marking his first triumph since 2022 and preserving his ranking spot at No. 13. With momentum slowly building again, Costa is eager to climb back into title contention.

Why Costa Makes Sense as Du Plessis’ Opponent

A fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Paulo Costa offers intrigue for multiple reasons. Firstly, both fighters are known for their aggressive, fan-friendly styles. While Du Plessis had a poor showing against Chimaev, he has historically been one of the most entertaining fighters at middleweight, bringing unorthodox striking and relentless pressure. Costa, meanwhile, is a powerhouse striker who loves to engage in brawls.

Secondly, the matchup allows both men a chance to re-establish themselves. For Du Plessis, a win would prove that the Chimaev fight was simply a bad night against a stylistic nightmare. For Costa, a win over a former champion would vault him back into the top tier of the division.

Finally, from a promotional standpoint, the fight is easy to sell. Costa is known for his trash talk and social media antics, while Du Plessis has already proven he can carry himself as a headliner. Putting the two together would generate plenty of buzz and likely deliver fireworks inside the Octagon.

The Road Back for Du Plessis

The road back to the title won’t be easy for Dricus Du Plessis. Losing in such one-sided fashion raises questions about how he matches up with elite grapplers, and the middleweight division is filled with wrestlers and submission specialists eager to test him again. However, Du Plessis has shown resilience throughout his career. He has bounced back from adversity before, and with the right matchup, he could regain his momentum.

It’s also worth noting that Du Plessis is only 30 years old, meaning time is on his side. Fighters often learn the most from their defeats, and this loss to Khamzat Chimaev may push him to make the necessary adjustments in his training and strategy.

Conclusion

At UFC 319, Dricus Du Plessis experienced one of the toughest nights of his career, dominated from start to finish by Khamzat Chimaev. While fans and analysts were quick to criticize, UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley offered a surprising perspective, praising Du Plessis for his toughness and ability to survive five rounds with one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport.

As Du Plessis looks ahead, options like a showdown with Paulo Costa could provide the perfect chance to bounce back and remind fans why he was once the middleweight champion. Though the loss to Chimaev was decisive, the story of Du Plessis is far from over. If anything, the setback may fuel his next chapter — one that could see him re-emerge as a contender in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.