UFC Fans Are Buzzing About the Clip of Chimaev Wrestling with an Olympic Champion: Will Dricus Du Plessis Face the Most Terrifying Challenge at UFC 319?

When fans talk about Khamzat Chimaev, one word dominates the conversation: wrestling. The Chechen-born wrecking machine has mauled his way through the UFC’s top contenders, building an undefeated professional MMA record on the back of sheer dominance, especially in the grappling department. And now, ahead of the UFC 319 main event against Dricus Du Plessis, “Borz” has taken his wrestling to an entirely new level.

After submitting Robert Whittaker in the very first round at UFC 308, many assumed Chimaev was already at his peak. But the monster that fans are seeing prepare for UFC 319 might just be his final evolution—and it’s one that even Du Plessis may not be able to stop.

Khamzat Chimaev Submits Robert Whittaker at UFC 308: A Statement to the Division

Many fans and critics thought Chimaev would finally meet his match at UFC 308 when he faced former Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. Instead, they watched a clinical grappling performance that ended with Whittaker tapping out in the very first round. Chimaev made it look shockingly easy—pressuring the Aussie into the fence, chaining takedowns, and eventually snatching a rear-naked choke that left no doubt.

“Nobody wants to fight this guy. He’s too dangerous,” UFC commentator Daniel Cormier said after the bout.

And when Chimaev grabbed the mic post-fight to demand a shot at the title, few questioned his right to challenge the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland at UFC 312.

Dricus Du Plessis Accepts the Challenge After UFC 312

Dricus Du Plessis, also known as “Stillknocks”, successfully defended his UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 312 in a bloody war against Sean Strickland. Just days after the fight, the South African powerhouse accepted Khamzat Chimaev’s callout, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown at UFC 319 on August 16.

Fans were immediately hyped. On paper, it’s a perfect clash of styles: Du Plessis, the unrelenting pressure fighter, versus Chimaev, the undefeated grappling phenom.

But after new training footage surfaced of Chimaev working with an Olympic wrestling legend, the tide of fan predictions began to swing hard in Chimaev’s favor.

Chimaev Trains With Abdulrashid Sadulaev—The Russian Tank

In a shocking reveal on X (formerly Twitter), the account @ChampRDS posted a training video that left the MMA world in awe. The footage showed Khamzat Chimaev training alongside Abdulrashid Sadulaev, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion in freestyle wrestling.

Sadulaev—nicknamed “The Russian Tank”—is considered one of the greatest wrestlers in modern history. For Chimaev to seek his guidance before the biggest fight of his career sends one clear message:

He’s not just preparing to wrestle—he’s preparing to dominate.

The footage showed Chimaev drilling high-level chain wrestling, transitional takedowns, and pressure riding. In several clips, he and Sadulaev exchanged fast-paced scrambles, with Chimaev more than holding his own against the wrestling icon.

MMA Fans React: Is Du Plessis in Trouble at UFC 319?

The internet exploded after the training video dropped. MMA fans and analysts took to social media, questioning whether Du Plessis could survive even one round against the wrestling onslaught Chimaev now possesses.

“This isn’t just training. This is war prep,” tweeted @MMAOverload.
“Du Plessis better have more than heart and grit if he wants to make it out of the first round,” added analyst Luke Thomas.

The fear in fan comments was palpable—and for good reason. Chimaev’s physical strength, cardio, and now elite Olympic-caliber wrestling could be too much for even a champion like Du Plessis to handle.

Dricus Du Plessis and Morne Visser Are Not Backing Down

To their credit, neither Dricus Du Plessis nor his longtime coach Morne Visser seem intimidated by Chimaev’s training revelations. In fact, Visser doubled down on their approach during a recent interview:

“We’re not going to avoid the ground game. We’re going to meet Khamzat where he’s strongest and beat him there.”

That’s a bold claim. Du Plessis has indeed shown competent wrestling and jiu-jitsu in the Octagon, often overpowering opponents with his relentless pace and awkward style. But Chimaev isn’t just another contender—he’s an entirely different breed.

Can Du Plessis match that level of grappling intensity? Or is his confidence leading him into a trap?

Breaking Down the Styles: Chimaev vs Du Plessis

Khamzat Chimaev’s Key Advantages:

• Elite wrestling pressure—now upgraded by Olympic mentorship

• Unbreakable cardio from years of grueling training in Sweden and Dagestan

• Submission threat from every position

• Explosive striking when needed (ask Gerald Meerschaert)

Dricus Du Plessis’s Weapons:

• Unorthodox striking angles

• Insane physical durability

• Scrambling ability that frustrates standard grapplers

• Champion’s mindset after surviving brutal wars

The most fascinating part of this matchup is that both fighters refuse to back down. There will be no running, no cautious game plans. UFC 319 is shaping up to be an all-out war, and fans are salivating at the thought.

The Psychological Game: Is Chimaev Already in Du Plessis’s Head?

Fighting is 90% mental, and Chimaev has proven he’s one of the most mentally dominant fighters in the UFC. His aura—built on aggression, intensity, and an iron will—has mentally broken opponents before the cage door even closes.

Now that Chimaev has revealed he’s training with Abdulrashid Sadulaev, is Du Plessis starting to second-guess himself?

So far, there’s no indication that Du Plessis is fazed. But the pressure of being hunted by an upgraded “Borz” will weigh heavily over the next few weeks.

What Happens If Chimaev Wins at UFC 319?

If Khamzat Chimaev defeats Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 and captures the UFC Middleweight Championship, the division could face a new era of domination. Few fighters have shown even a glimmer of success against him, and with Sadulaev sharpening his wrestling, that list may grow even shorter.

It would also put Chimaev in the rare category of champions across multiple divisions, since he’s already been ranked among the elite at welterweight.

Can Du Plessis Pull Off the Upset?

While many are calling Khamzat Chimaev the favorite, Dricus Du Plessis has made a career out of defying expectations. He beat Robert Whittaker. He outlasted and outbrawled Sean Strickland. He’s always awkward, relentless, and deceptively strategic.

If Du Plessis can stuff early takedowns, drag the fight into deep waters, and make it ugly, he could turn the tide and shock the world once again.

Final Prediction: Who Walks Out of UFC 319 With Gold?

As of now, the odds—and the momentum—favor Khamzat Chimaev. His first-round submission over Robert Whittaker, followed by this latest training collaboration with Abdulrashid Sadulaev, has only strengthened his mystique as an unstoppable force.

But Dricus Du Plessis is no ordinary champion. He’s got grit, power, and a will to win that’s been tested and proven.

One thing is certain:

UFC 319 will be a war—and someone’s legacy will be forged in fire.