Dricus Du Plessis Receives Tips from Sean Strickland: How to Defeat the ‘Terrorist’ Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319?

The UFC middleweight division has become one of the most electrifying landscapes in MMA, and at the heart of its action are three polarizing figures—Dricus du Plessis, Sean Strickland, and Khamzat Chimaev. With du Plessis set to defend his 185-pound crown against the undefeated Chimaev at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, fan interest is at an all-time high. But what has made this clash even more intriguing is the unexpected insight and unfiltered advice from Sean Strickland, a man who’s shared the cage with both.

Despite their long-standing rivalry, Strickland’s assessment of du Plessis’ path to victory against the Chechen-Swedish phenom could be the game-changer South Africa’s first UFC champion needs.

Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis: From Enemies to Reluctant Allies?

Few rivalries have been as emotionally charged as the one between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. The two have collided twice in high-stakes UFC bouts—once in January 2024, when du Plessis won a split decision to claim the UFC middleweight title, and again in February 2025, when he defended the belt via unanimous decision.

Both fights were brutal, tactical, and drenched in animosity. Their press conferences were headline-grabbing spectacles, and their clashes were must-watch main events. Yet, in a twist no one saw coming, Strickland has publicly offered du Plessis tactical advice to take down the most feared contender in the division—Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Unbeaten Wrecking Machine Heads for UFC Gold

Khamzat Chimaev is, without question, one of the most dangerous and enigmatic fighters in modern MMA. Known for his overwhelming grappling, relentless pace, and stone-cold demeanor, Chimaev has run through every opponent in his path. However, visa issues and frequent injuries have somewhat stalled his momentum.

Despite the roadblocks, the UFC has finally scheduled Chimaev’s long-awaited title shot. The undefeated fighter will face Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 at Chicago’s United Center, a bout that could potentially change the direction of the middleweight division.

And who better to weigh in on the stylistic matchup than Sean Strickland, who has trained extensively with Chimaev and battled du Plessis for 10 grueling rounds?

Sean Strickland’s Raw Assessment: “Can Dricus Stop the Wrestling?”

In a recent interview with Helen Yee, Sean Strickland didn’t hold back. Around the 28-minute mark, the American middleweight took a jab at Chimaev’s heritage and bluntly commented on the threat he poses in the Octagon.

“They’re letting the fking t*rrorist in… those little Chechen fks — I don’t wanna say Chechen — he’s Swedish. But those little Chechen wh*res, like, dude, they can grapple,” said Strickland.

Behind the coarse language was a clear warning: Chimaev’s grappling is elite, and du Plessis must neutralize it if he wants to retain his title.

Strickland continued, “I just don’t know if fking Dricus can be able to counter-wrestle him. But if he can, I think he wins hands down. I sparred the fking Chechen wh*re… Hands down, I think Dricus wins.”

This unexpected endorsement raised eyebrows, especially given Strickland’s previous wars with du Plessis. But it speaks to a growing narrative that Chimaev’s wrestling is his singular threat, and if contained, he may not have the striking finesse to compete over five rounds.

How Can Dricus du Plessis Beat Khamzat Chimaev?

While Chimaev’s path to victory is straightforward—close the distance, score takedowns, and dominate with top control—du Plessis needs a well-rounded game plan to counteract that approach.

1. Maintain Distance with Power and Pressure

Du Plessis is known for his awkward but effective striking. He throws with power, often in unorthodox combinations, and isn’t afraid to fight ugly. Against Chimaev, he’ll need to maintain range, use kicks to the body and legs, and make it hard for Chimaev to shoot cleanly.

2. Grapple Smart, Not Hard

As Strickland suggested, counter-wrestling is crucial. Du Plessis doesn’t need to outwrestle Chimaev—he just needs to make him work. The longer he can avoid being grounded or pinned against the cage, the more fatigue will set in for the Dagestani-Swede.

3. Cardio Will Be Key

Chimaev has never gone a hard 25 minutes against a high-level opponent. Du Plessis, however, has experienced the full championship rounds against Strickland. If he can drag Chimaev into deep waters, the tide could turn dramatically in his favor.

Strickland’s History with Chimaev Adds Credibility

Sean Strickland’s assessment isn’t baseless. The American has trained with Chimaev during their earlier years and knows firsthand what it’s like to share the mat with him. Their relationship has since soured, with both fighters exchanging verbal shots on social media and interviews.

Still, the fact that Strickland acknowledged du Plessis as a potential victor is significant. Coming from a man who has a distaste for both fighters, it reflects how much he respects du Plessis’ toughness and fight IQ.

Could Strickland Face the Winner?

While Strickland’s return date remains unknown, he hasn’t ruled out a comeback this year. During his interview with Helen Yee, he floated the idea of fighting Belal Muhammad at middleweight—a bizarre but intriguing proposition. With Chimaev now committed to middleweight, a future trilogy bout with du Plessis or even a clash with Chimaev remains a strong possibility.

UFC President Dana White has also hinted that the middleweight division could be shaken up further in late 2025, especially with fighters like Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier waiting in the wings.

Dricus du Plessis: A Champion with Something to Prove

Despite holding the middleweight belt, many fans and analysts still question whether Dricus du Plessis is truly the best in the world. His back-to-back wins over Strickland were close and controversial, and some believe Chimaev represents the true test of his championship credentials.

Beating Chimaev at UFC 319 would silence all doubters. It would mark du Plessis’ third straight win over elite opposition and position him as the undisputed king of the division.

UFC 319: A Collision Course for Legacy

UFC 319 is more than just a title fight. It’s a battle for legacy, dominance, and vindication. Dricus du Plessis enters with everything to lose—the belt, his legitimacy, and his shot at superstardom. Khamzat Chimaev arrives with everything to gain—a title, an undefeated record intact, and a reputation that precedes him.

But lurking in the background is Sean Strickland, the ultimate wildcard. His mind games, experience, and tactical insights might just play an unexpected role in determining the outcome of the biggest middleweight fight of 2025.

Final Verdict: Will Dricus du Plessis Listen to Sean Strickland’s Advice?

As bizarre as it may seem, Sean Strickland’s crude but calculated analysis could be the blueprint for Dricus du Plessis to overcome his toughest challenge yet. Whether he chooses to use it or not remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: UFC 319 is set to be a blockbuster, and the MMA world will be watching as the future of the middleweight division is decided.