Khamzat Chimaev Calls Dricus Du Plessis’ Fight ‘Bullsh*t’: Can the Wolf do better or will he be brought down by the Middleweight Champion at UFC 317?

Khamzat Chimaev is never one to mince words, and once again, the undefeated Chechen-born star has thrown verbal jabs in true “Wolf” fashion. This time, his sights are set on current UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Following Du Plessis’ gritty but controversial win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297, Chimaev lashed out, calling the performance “bullsh*t” and reigniting the fire beneath what could be one of the most anticipated clashes in recent UFC memory: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 317.

Will Chimaev’s relentless style and wrestling-heavy onslaught overwhelm the South African powerhouse? Or will Du Plessis’ unorthodox strength and championship mentality spell the first career loss for “Borz”? As UFC 317 draws near, fight fans are diving deep into stylistic matchups, psychological warfare, and potential historical implications. Here’s a closer look at why this bout could define the future of the middleweight division.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Wolf Still Hungry

Since entering the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has left nothing but destruction in his wake. With an undefeated record and a unique blend of suffocating wrestling and vicious ground-and-pound, Chimaev quickly ascended to stardom. His breakout moment came in 2020 when he finished two opponents in ten days, absorbing just one strike combined. Since then, he’s taken out top contenders like Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and Gilbert Burns.

Despite visa issues, weight-cutting concerns, and long layoffs, Chimaev remains a massive threat in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. His most recent bout, a hard-fought majority decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, showcased both his strength and the questions that remain. Critics noted that while he dominated the first round, he appeared to fade in the latter two, leaving room for Du Plessis or any top middleweight to capitalize.

But if there’s one thing clear about Chimaev, it’s that his mindset is unshakable. He thrives on chaos, embraces pain, and feeds off the doubts of others. Calling Du Plessis’ title win “bullsh*t” isn’t just trash talk—it’s a strategic move to get under the champion’s skin and steer the narrative.

Dricus Du Plessis: The Relentless Champion No One Can Ignore

Dricus Du Plessis isn’t your typical middleweight champion. He’s unconventional, often awkward in movement, and not as polished as some of the division’s past greats. But none of that has stopped him from climbing to the top of the mountain. After stunning Robert Whittaker and then narrowly edging Sean Strickland in a controversial decision, Du Plessis now finds himself wearing UFC gold—and carrying a target on his back.

What makes Du Plessis such a difficult puzzle to solve is his unrelenting pressure, surprising cardio, and the ability to drag fights into deep waters. His win over Whittaker proved he can hang with the elite; his war with Strickland showed his durability and fight IQ. Even when hurt, Du Plessis recovers quickly and finds a way to make things ugly—something Chimaev has yet to face consistently.

Despite Chimaev’s criticisms, Du Plessis has earned his place at the top. But UFC 317 represents his most dangerous challenge yet. Defending his belt against a hungry, undefeated force like Chimaev could either solidify his reign—or expose vulnerabilities that were glossed over in previous fights.

Can Chimaev Handle Five Rounds at Middleweight?

This is one of the biggest question marks heading into UFC 317. In his last outing against Usman, Chimaev dominated early but looked visibly tired by Round 3. That was a three-round fight. Now, he’s stepping into a five-round title bout against a man known for breaking opponents with relentless pace.

If Chimaev wants to prove he’s more than just a bully in the first 10 minutes, he’ll need to show cardio, composure, and adaptability. Du Plessis won’t just lie down. He’ll fight in the clinch, scramble off his back, and force Chimaev to work every second of every round.

This makes conditioning and fight IQ pivotal in determining who leaves UFC 317 as the undisputed middleweight king.

Stylistic Matchup: Grappler vs. Grinder

On paper, this fight screams violence. Chimaev’s wrestling is elite, and once he’s on top, few fighters have survived. But Du Plessis is strong, explosive, and well-rounded. He’s not afraid to engage in the clinch or fight off his back. In fact, some of his most devastating moments have come from reversals and wild exchanges.

While Chimaev may look to take the fight down quickly, Du Plessis has a knack for turning chaos to his advantage. The longer the fight goes, the more it could favor the champion. That being said, if Chimaev gets him down early and begins his trademark ground mauling, the bout could be over before the third round.

This clash of styles—pressure wrestling versus pressure striking—will ultimately define who dictates the pace.

Mental Warfare and Championship Experience

Du Plessis has now gone five hard rounds under the spotlight. He’s felt the pressure of defending against an aggressive striker. Chimaev, meanwhile, has never fought five full rounds in the UFC.

This is where the psychological element becomes critical. Chimaev’s mind games—calling fights “bullsh*t” and belittling his opponents—are part of his strategy. But Du Plessis is no rookie. He’s brushed off trash talk before and stayed laser-focused when others lost their cool.

If Chimaev can rattle him early, he might open the door to a dominant performance. But if Du Plessis stays composed, manages distance, and wears Chimaev down mentally as well as physically, the tides could turn in dramatic fashion.

What’s at Stake Beyond the Belt?

This fight isn’t just for the UFC Middleweight Championship. It’s a legacy-defining moment for both fighters. For Chimaev, it’s the chance to silence doubters and officially become what many predicted—a two-division title threat. For Du Plessis, it’s the opportunity to shut down the hype machine and cement his status as a legitimate champion.

Beyond the belt, the winner of UFC 317 could be poised for massive crossover opportunities—whether it be superfights with light heavyweights, or headline status at a major pay-per-view in 2025.

There’s also the fan angle. Chimaev is one of the most polarizing figures in MMA. His ultra-aggressive style draws comparisons to Khabib, but his brash demeanor and persona are pure chaos. Du Plessis, on the other hand, is still building his global brand but has the heart and grit that fans admire.

Whichever man emerges victorious will not only walk away with gold but with a significantly enhanced legacy.

Fight Prediction: Who Has the Edge at UFC 317?

It’s rare to find a matchup this unpredictable. If the fight ends in the first or second round, Chimaev is likely the victor via takedown and ground-and-pound. But if it drags into the fourth and fifth rounds, Du Plessis has a real chance to take over.

Ultimately, the fight may come down to whether Chimaev can adapt his high-pressure style for five rounds. If he has improved cardio and smarter pacing, he can dominate. If not, expect Du Plessis to capitalize on fatigue and turn the tide in championship rounds.

Official Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev via TKO (Round 2) – But expect a war.

Conclusion: The Wolf vs. The Relentless Lion

UFC 317 promises to be one of the biggest middleweight title fights in recent memory. With Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated aura and aggressive demeanor clashing with Dricus Du Plessis’ champion resolve and grit, fans are in for a stylistic and emotional rollercoaster.

Whether the Wolf dominates or the Lion stands tall, one thing is certain: this fight will answer questions we’ve all been asking and set the course for the middleweight division moving forward. And regardless of Chimaev’s trash talk, Du Plessis will step into the cage with one mission—prove the doubters wrong and walk out still holding UFC gold.