Dricus du Plessis said: This is just the beginning, Khamzat Chimaev: I have not used all my tricks yet… just wait and see

In the thunderous world of UFC, trash talk isn’t just noise—it’s fuel. And now, reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has lit the kindling by declaring: “This is just the beginning.” His challenger, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, fired back with a chilling promise: “I have not used all my tricks yet… just wait and see, hold your bleeding head.” This confrontation—equal parts bravado, guts, and grind—marks a boiling point in the division. Let’s dive deep into the backstory, meaning, and implications of their war of words.

Paths Converging at UFC 319

On August 16, 2025, the UFC returns to Chicago for UFC 319 at the United Center. Headlining the event: Dricus du Plessis, fresh off brutal defenses against Sean Strickland (twice) and a scare-worthy knockout of Israel Adesanya, faces undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev, who exploded back into form with a fist-bending submission of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. For both fighters, this is more than a title bout—it’s a collision of ambition, national pride, and stylistic worlds.

Du Plessis, the gritty South African, brought his exacting, pressure-heavy style to the elite stage since UFC 297. Meanwhile, Chimaev, the Chechen-Emirati phenom, surged through the middleweight ranks with wrestling dominance and quick finishes. Their clash unites technique, temperament, and the hunger of two dynamic champions poised to brawl for supremacy.

The Champion’s Claim: “This Is Just the Beginning”

Following his second Strickland win at UFC 312, Du Plessis addressed his legion of fans with unwavering confidence:

| Dricus du Plessis: This is just the beginning |

This wasn’t idle talk. He’s defended the belt multiple times, but his message was crystalline: he won’t stop here. With each title defense, du Plessis is growing—not just in record, but in claiming his place among the Middleweight greats.

What makes this statement so powerful is Du Plessis’s reputation for durability. His fights are marathons of attrition—he outworks, outpaces, and decisively finishes. He’s grown into his role as the relentless champion, and this line served as both a warning and a declaration: the best is yet to come.

The Challenger Fires Back: “Hold Your Bleeding Head”

Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hold back. In a social media exchange leading the UFC 319 hype, he dropped a chilling threat aimed straight at the champion:

| Khamzat Chimaev: I have not used all my tricks yet… just wait and see, hold your bleeding head. |

This isn’t playful rhetoric; it’s a promise of war inside the Octagon. Chimaev is reminding fans and du Plessis alike that he’s never shown his full arsenal. Between Olympic-level wrestling, bone-jarring ground-and-pound, and knockouts galore, Chimaev has more to unleash—all while promising carnage to come.

The “bleeding head” line is part menace, part showmanship—a declaration that this isn’t a battle; it’s a battlefield. He’s telling du Plessis the pain is coming—and he’ll make sure it’s unforgettable.

Fan and Expert Reactions

This showdown has fans and pundits alike buzzing. On r/MMA, a barrage of voices chimed in:

“DDP survives first round, he wins; Khamzat always slows.”

“Khamzat scrambling… face-crank subs. DDP’s scrambling world-class.”

These Reddit reactions capture the uncertainty: if Chimaev imposes his early wave, can du Plessis weather it? Or will du Plessis drag the fight into deeper waters and drown him in chaos? That split-second doubt is exactly what fuels UFC’s unpredictability.

Coaches weigh in too. South African mentor Morne Visser predicted:

“We want to fight him on the floor… we’re good everywhere.”

Visser believes du Plessis can match Chimaev at wrestling, reinforcing his belief that the champion is more versatile than assumed. Both camps plan to bring warfare, and trainers see potential for early fireworks—or an exhausting grind.

Styles in Collision: Striking vs Wrestle Fury

This fight is a cultural and stylistic crossroads.

• Du Plessis fights with aggressive striking volume, constant pressure, and strategic takedowns—heavy strikes masking positional hunts.

• Chimaev (nicknamed “Borz”) uses elite freestyle wrestling—anchor takedowns, smothering control, perennial ground dominance—while evolving rapidly on the feet.

The narrative pits du Plessis as the veteran with experience, conditioning, and adaptability, against Chimaev, the rising titan with freshness, ferocity, and feral instincts. If Chimaev imposes early, he might bury du Plessis. If Dricus survives and starts imposing his pacing, Chimaev might run out of tricks.

Hype and Hostility: Trash Talk Fuels the Fire

Their social media banter has escalated into something more aggressive and visual:

• Du Plessis addressed perceived rumors about injury and dodging fights: “Question is, was the fight even signed?”—directly challenging Chimaev to make it official.

• Fans responded by debating, analyzing scrambles, takedowns, scrappiness—driving conversation ever higher.

These moments—all fueled by their verbal jabs—have transformed UFC 319 into more than just a fight card. It’s a cultural showdown between the snowballing momentum of Chimaev and the calculated authority of du Plessis.

Midwest Bloodbath: Why Chicago Matters

UFC 319 takes place in Chicago—the fight’s backdrop adds dimension.

Du Plessis brings South African pride, Chimaev brings international flair. In the rustbelt grit, Chicago fans love fierce fighters who dig deep. Du Plessis tested himself there before; a strong showing could win the city’s heart. Pulling Chimaev into a long, grinding war might win the crowd and electrify the atmosphere.

It’s not just about winning—but convincing a tough, live crowd. That energy matters at pivotal moments inside the cage.

Legacy on the Line

Each man is here for legacy.

| Dricus du Plessis: I want to prove I’m the GOAT of middleweight |

He wants to fight Alex Pereira later—but only after proving he can deny Chimaev’s unpredictable power.

Chimaev wants to prove he belongs among boxing’s elite—an Olympic wrestler turned elite MMA champion with ferocity in every exchange. Beating du Plessis would vault him into stratospheric reputation.

So this fight is not just belt vs belt; it’s about enduring mark-making, global respect, and powerful branding—all born from these pre-fight lines and strategies.

What to Watch for on Fight Night

1. Fight Start – Will Chimaev explode early? Can du Plessis defend takedowns and return fire?

2. Middle Rounds – This is a test of fight IQ. Who controls the tempo and distance?

3. Conditioning – du Plessis is famed for fitness; Chimaev’s aggression could drain early—or maybe not. How the later rounds unfold is critical.

4. Mental Shift – Trash talk becomes reality in the cage. A message landed mid-fight could unbalance either competitor.

The Power of Words: Why These Quotes Matter

These quotes aren’t just hype—they drive narrative and emotion:

• “This is just the beginning” declares dominance and hints at a legacy push, not just a title reign.

• “Hold your bleeding head” is a direct threat—vivid, violent, visceral.

Fans love talk. Trash talk excites. But when words come from two elite athletes ready to back them up inside the cage? The energy becomes electric, the tension becomes real, and the anticipation becomes frenzy.

As UFC 319 approaches, the tension between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev isn’t just about skill. It’s psychological warfare, cultural collision, and personal reputation. When the bell rings, every word spoken and promise made will be tested in a crucible of sweat and steel.

They traded harsh warnings—but only time will tell whose message resonates loudest inside the Octagon. For both fighters, their legacy hinges on how well they deliver when the lights shine brightest.

In Chicago this August, MMA history could shift—ushering in a new champion’s story, or reinforcing the rule of the current one. Either way, the echo of:
“This is just the beginning” vs “hold your bleeding head” will linger long after the final bell.

Their words have set the stage. Now let’s see who steals the show.