Dricus Du Plessis Makes Shocking Statement: ‘Khamzat Will Soon Be Crying Bitterly’ – Will UFC 319 Be a Major Shock?

In the high-stakes world of the UFC middleweight division, mental warfare is as important as physical preparation—and Dricus Du Plessis is taking aim at Khamzat Chimaev with some bold pre-fight trash talk.

The reigning UFC middleweight champion, Du Plessis, has made headlines yet again, this time for declaring that his challenger at UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev, will “soon be crying bitterly.” The statement shocked fans across the MMA community and immediately sparked debate: Is Du Plessis getting into Chimaev’s head? Or is he setting himself up for a fall?

Let’s explore how the trash talk is intensifying, what it could mean for UFC 319, and whether Dricus Du Plessis can actually back up his fiery words.

Dricus Du Plessis Fires First Verbal Shot Before UFC 319

South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis has never been shy with his words. Known for his raw confidence and bold predictions, the champion has made it clear that he doesn’t fear anyone in the division—not even the undefeated wrecking machine, Khamzat Chimaev.

During a recent media appearance ahead of UFC 319, Du Plessis dropped a bombshell quote that had fight fans buzzing:

“Let him talk. Let him train. Let him wrestle. On fight night, he will realize this is a different kind of fight. Khamzat will soon be crying bitterly, and the world will see who the real dog in this cage is.”

The comment is not just psychological warfare—it’s a direct challenge to the toughest fighter Chimaev has ever faced in his UFC career.

Why Du Plessis Believes Khamzat Is Not Ready

Behind Du Plessis’ shocking words is a deeper belief: Khamzat Chimaev has never fought someone like him.

Du Plessis is riding a wave of momentum. His unorthodox style, elite cardio, and relentless pace helped him defeat former champions and contenders alike. His most recent win—a gritty decision over Sean Strickland at UFC 312—cemented his status as one of the most well-rounded and mentally resilient champions in recent memory.

Here’s what Du Plessis has going for him:

• Durability: He’s been in deep waters and proven he can push through exhaustion and pain.

• Awkward Style: His timing and movement confuse opponents who are used to traditional striking.

• Fight IQ: He adapts on the fly, switching game plans mid-fight if needed.

Du Plessis believes Chimaev, who has largely dominated early in his fights, won’t be able to handle a drawn-out, tactical war.

Khamzat Chimaev: Calm, Focused, and Dangerous

But it’s important to remember who Khamzat Chimaev is. The Chechen-born, Swedish-trained fighter is undefeated, highly disciplined, and comes into UFC 319 with incredible momentum and unmatched hype.

His path of destruction in the UFC includes dominant wins over Li Jingliang, Kevin Holland, and a three-round war with Gilbert Burns where he proved he can go the distance against elite talent.

Now, Chimaev has turned his training up a notch. In preparation for Du Plessis, he’s added legendary Russian wrestling coach Salim Nutsalkhanov to his camp—an elite tactician who helped train multiple Olympic champions, including Buvaisar Saitiev.

Chimaev recently shared footage of his intense training sessions with Nutsalkhanov and captioned it with a subtle jab:

“Hard work speaks for itself. We’ll see who cries bitterly.”

Is This Just Trash Talk, or a Preview of What’s Coming?

The comment from Du Plessis might seem like a mere soundbite, but in the UFC, words often foreshadow violence. Fighters know how to use verbal warfare to:

• Get into their opponent’s head

• Raise public interest

• Show confidence and authority

However, if Du Plessis fails to deliver on his words, it could backfire spectacularly.

Khamzat has shown an ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, and fighters who have tried to talk trash in the past—like Kevin Holland—have found themselves overwhelmed by Chimaev’s suffocating pressure.

So, is Du Plessis poking the bear? Or is he calling his shot like a true champion?

The Stakes at UFC 319 Couldn’t Be Higher

This isn’t just about bragging rights—UFC 319 could redefine the middleweight division.

If Khamzat Chimaev wins, it launches a new era. The undefeated Chechen-Swedish fighter could become a dual-division threat, eyeing welterweight and middleweight dominance.

If Dricus Du Plessis retains his title, he silences all critics and becomes a true global star. Defeating Chimaev would be his signature win—proof that he belongs in the same breath as greats like Adesanya, Silva, and Weidman.

Expert Reactions to Du Plessis’ Bold Claim

The MMA world was quick to react to Du Plessis’ “crying bitterly” comment:

• Daniel Cormier: “It’s gutsy. You better back it up. Khamzat isn’t the guy you want to make angry.”

• Michael Bisping: “I love it. It’s old-school fight promotion. But he better be ready for hell.”

• Chael Sonnen: “This is what the fight game needs. Trash talk like this makes the event bigger than life.”

Fans are split too. On social media, hashtags like #TeamChimaev and #BuiltDifferent have taken over MMA Twitter, with fans debating whether Du Plessis has bitten off more than he can chew.

Fight Style Clash: Who Has the Edge?

Khamzat Chimaev’s Game Plan

• Explosive Starts: Chimaev overwhelms early with pressure, takedowns, and brutal ground-and-pound.

• Elite Wrestling: With Nutsalkhanov in his corner, expect a fine-tuned wrestling clinic.

• Striking Power: Don’t sleep on his punches—ask Gerald Meerschaert how that feels.

Dricus Du Plessis’ Game Plan

• Long Haul Warfare: Du Plessis thrives in late rounds and messy scrambles.

• Striking Volume: He throws in awkward angles and doesn’t let opponents get comfortable.

• Heart and Grit: If it gets ugly, Du Plessis refuses to fade—he thrives in chaos.

Will UFC 319 Be a Shocking Night for Chimaev?

Despite his unbeaten record, Chimaev has shown moments of vulnerability, particularly in his fight with Gilbert Burns. If Du Plessis can recreate that kind of pressure, while avoiding early takedowns, he has a real shot at pulling off an upset.

Still, Khamzat Chimaev has never lost a professional fight, and most of his opponents couldn’t even survive past the first round. He’s explosive, efficient, and has the ability to change a fight in seconds.

Whether Du Plessis’ prophecy of “bitter tears” comes true will depend on his ability to execute over five grueling rounds.

UFC 319: Date, Venue, and What’s Next

UFC 319 is scheduled for late summer 2025, with the venue expected to be announced soon. Early reports suggest the UFC may return to Abu Dhabi or Las Vegas for this blockbuster showdown.

The winner of this fight could potentially face Israel Adesanya—if he returns—or Jared Cannonier, depending on the rankings. There’s also the lurking presence of Robert Whittaker, who’s always a threat in the division.

But first, the storm must pass through UFC 319, and only one man will emerge as the king.

Final Thoughts: Can Du Plessis Back It Up?

Dricus Du Plessis has raised the stakes with his harsh statement toward Khamzat Chimaev, declaring that his opponent will leave the cage “crying bitterly.” It’s bold, it’s personal, and it’s risky.

But if anyone has the grit to back it up, it’s Du Plessis.

On the other side, Chimaev is calm, dangerous, and ready to make history. Whether the tears belong to Du Plessis or Chimaev at the end of the night will be one of the most compelling storylines of 2025.

One thing’s certain: UFC 319 is set to be a war, and fans will not want to miss what could be one of the greatest middleweight fights in UFC history.