Dricus Du Plessis Wants To Take Away Khamzat Chimaev's Undefeated Record

In the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts (MMA), the UFC middleweight division has become one of the most exciting landscapes in combat sports. Fighters rise and fall, but one thing remains constant: fans love a battle between two dominant forces. That’s exactly what they might get with a highly anticipated showdown between Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, and Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated powerhouse looking to take his place at the top.

With Du Plessis openly challenging Chimaev and promising to take away his perfect record, the MMA world is buzzing. This article explores their fighting styles, strengths, weaknesses, and what this fight could mean for the UFC’s middleweight division.

Dricus Du Plessis: The Unstoppable Champion

Hailing from South Africa, Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis has built an impressive resume inside the octagon. His rise to the top wasn’t just about talent but also resilience, strategy, and an ability to adapt against elite opponents.

How He Became the UFC Middleweight Champion

Du Plessis captured the middleweight title in January 2024 at UFC 297 when he defeated Sean Strickland via split decision. This victory made history, as he became the first-ever UFC champion from South Africa. But that was just the beginning. In August 2024 at UFC 305, he faced former champion Israel Adesanya and submitted him in the fourth round, showcasing his well-rounded skill set. Most recently, in February 2025 at UFC 312, he defended his title against Strickland in a rematch, securing a unanimous decision victory. His ability to mix striking with a relentless pace has made him one of the toughest fighters in the division.

Fighting Style and Strengths

Du Plessis brings an aggressive, high-pressure style that overwhelms opponents. His mix of striking and grappling makes him unpredictable, and he thrives in scrappy, chaotic fights.

His biggest strengths include:

Elite cardio: He pushes the pace for all five rounds.
Knockout power: A history of finishing fights with strikes.
Toughness and durability: He can take punishment and keep moving forward.
Underrated grappling: His submission win over Adesanya proved he’s dangerous on the ground.

But does he have what it takes to hand Khamzat Chimaev his first professional loss?

Khamzat Chimaev: The Undefeated Phenomenon

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene with a level of dominance rarely seen before. Whether at welterweight or middleweight, he has steamrolled opponents with little resistance.

Chimaev’s Path to Title Contention

Chimaev’s defining moment in the middleweight division came in October 2024 at UFC 308, when he faced former champion Robert Whittaker. In a brutal display of skill, he broke Whittaker’s jaw and finished him via first-round submission. This win established him as the next in line for the title, and since then, he has been calling for a shot at gold. Now, with Du Plessis acknowledging the challenge, it seems only a matter of time before they meet in the octagon.

Fighting Style and Strengths

Chimaev is a grappling nightmare with an insane ability to control and dominate opponents.

His key strengths include:

World-class wrestling: He takes opponents down at will.
Submission threats: He finishes fights quickly once he gets control.
Powerful striking: Not just a grappler—he has knockout power, too.
Confidence and intensity: He walks into fights expecting to break his opponent.

However, one question remains: Can he maintain his dominance against someone as tough and relentless as Du Plessis?

The War of Words: Du Plessis Wants to End Chimaev’s Streak

The tension between these two fighters has been building, and Du Plessis hasn’t been shy about his intentions.

“I want to fight the guy the fans want me to fight. And that’s 100% Khamzat.”
“I can’t wait to take your ‘0’.”

Chimaev, on the other hand, has remained focused but hasn’t backed down from the challenge. Both fighters seem ready to collide, and when they do, expect fireworks.

The Fight Breakdown: Who Has the Edge?

A potential fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev would be an intriguing clash of styles. Here’s how they compare:

Striking

Du Plessis: More diverse striking, capable of maintaining a high pace.
Chimaev: Raw power, but relies more on wrestling to set up strikes.
Edge: Slight advantage to Du Plessis.

Grappling

Du Plessis: Solid defensive wrestling, but not on Chimaev’s level.
Chimaev: Elite-level wrestling, smothers opponents.
Edge: Chimaev, by a wide margin.

Cardio & Durability

Du Plessis: Proven ability to go five hard rounds.
Chimaev: Hasn’t been tested in deep waters as often.
Edge: Du Plessis, slightly.

Fight IQ & Strategy

Du Plessis: Adapts well mid-fight, has found ways to win tough battles.
Chimaev: More dominant but hasn’t been forced to adjust much.
Edge: Even.

What’s at stake for the UFC Middleweight Division?

This fight isn’t just about personal pride—it’s about shaping the future of the division.

For Du Plessis: Defeating Chimaev solidifies his legacy as the undisputed best middleweight in the world. It could even open the door for a potential move up to light heavyweight for a double-champ opportunity.
For Chimaev: Winning the title with an undefeated record would be historic, making him one of the most feared champions in UFC history.

The UFC knows how big this fight could be, and a massive pay-per-view event is likely in the works.

Fan Reactions and Analyst Predictions

MMA fans and experts are already debating the outcome:

Some believe Chimaev’s wrestling will be too much for Du Plessis to handle.
Others think Du Plessis’ endurance and toughness will wear Chimaev down in the later rounds.

Either way, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest fights of the year.

Final Thoughts: Who Will Remain Standing?

If this fight happens, it could be a true Fight of the Year contender.

Du Plessis will look to overwhelm Chimaev with pace and striking.
Chimaev will try to impose his wrestling dominance early.

Will Du Plessis become the first man to hand Chimaev a loss, or will Chimaev crush another contender on his way to UFC gold? One thing is certain—when these two finally step into the cage, the MMA world will be watching.