UFC 319: Former champion drops bombshell, Du Plessis receives chilling warning

We’re just three weeks away from one of the most anticipated UFC fights of the year. While fans may have been disappointed by the collapse of fantasy matchups like Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev and the indefinitely delayed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, the promotion has delivered a blockbuster showdown at UFC 320 on August 16 — Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev for the undisputed UFC Middleweight Championship.

These are two undefeated juggernauts with radically different fighting styles, clashing for supremacy in a fight that could define the division for years to come.

Dricus du Plessis: The Gritty Champion Who Refuses to Fold

Dricus du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC with a stunning 9-0 record, boasting recent stoppages over Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, and a second consecutive win over Sean Strickland at UFC 312. The South African champion is known for his wild, unpredictable approach in the Octagon, paired with an iron will and improved gas tank following nose surgery.

Du Plessis has proven to be a problem no one in the top tier can easily solve. From his punishing strikes to relentless pace, du Plessis’s heart and cardio have turned him into one of the most durable middleweights the UFC has ever seen. Even when backed into a corner, he has always found a way to come out swinging.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Boogeyman of the UFC Returns

On the opposite side of the cage is the undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev, who boasts a 14-0 professional record. Known as “Borz,” Chimaev has run roughshod through both welterweight and middleweight opponents.

In his last two appearances, Chimaev manhandled former champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, showing his dominance at middleweight and earning a fast-track to the title.

Chimaev averages 4.31 takedowns per UFC fight and has a 100% takedown defense, making him one of the most terrifying grapplers in MMA today. His combination of brute strength, lightning-quick level changes, and suffocating top control has left seasoned veterans like Usman helpless on the mat.

Michael Bisping’s Advice: Fight Fire with Fire

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has offered a blunt but intriguing strategy for du Plessis: fight Chimaev “at his own game.”

“Dricus du Plessis, I mean, you cannot doubt this guy,” Bisping said during the UFC Abu Dhabi post-show.
“He’s not intimidated. There’s videos of Dricus du Plessis online taking on an entire Gracie Barra black belt team and submitting them all one by one.”

Bisping points to du Plessis’s physicality and underrated grappling background as key weapons.

“He’s big. He’s strong. He wrestled. He’s got great judo. He’s got knockout power. He’s had a nose job, so he’s got a great gas tank now as well.”

And when it comes to dealing with Chimaev’s suffocating wrestling, Bisping warns that running or playing the defensive game won’t work.

“Look at what he did to Usman… That’s how good Khamzat Chimaev is at wrestling. So if you try and just do everything you can to avoid him and get away and run, you’re just running away the entire time. He’s gonna get you.”

“Nah. Screw that. Meet him head on,” Bisping concluded.
“Fight him at his own game.”

The Wrestling War: Can du Plessis Survive?

Chimaev’s domination on the ground is no secret. His transition speed, wrist control, and pressure-based grappling has overwhelmed opponents who thought they were elite wrestlers — including Kamaru Usman, widely regarded as having one of the best takedown defenses in UFC history.

Yet du Plessis is no grappling slouch himself. The South African has a strong background in judo and wrestling, and he’s been seen working with elite submission specialists in preparation for this bout. His ability to reverse positions, fight off his back, and explode out of scrambles could be the wild card in this clash.

Let’s not forget — du Plessis has not been submitted in over 11 years.

Du Plessis’s Last Loss Was a Lesson

While du Plessis is unbeaten in the UFC, he has suffered two professional losses earlier in his career. His last defeat came in 2018 to Roberto Soldic via KO in a KSW title rematch. Interestingly, du Plessis had finished Soldic in their first meeting, making their rivalry 1-1.

His only submission loss occurred all the way back in 2014 to Garreth McLellan, who secured a guillotine choke victory. That was more than a decade ago, and du Plessis has since transformed himself into a complete, durable force at middleweight.

The champion’s resilience, both mentally and physically, is perhaps his most dangerous asset — something Chimaev has never truly had to deal with over five rounds.

What Happens If It Goes the Distance?

One of the biggest questions in this matchup is how well Chimaev holds up in a five-round war. While du Plessis has been tested over multiple grueling rounds, Chimaev has never been pushed deep into the championship waters in the UFC.

The only time Chimaev even approached adversity was in his brutal fight with Gilbert Burns, which he won by decision but not without taking serious damage.

If du Plessis can survive the early onslaught and drag Chimaev into the later rounds, we could be looking at a war of attrition — and the South African has already shown he can thrive in that chaos.

Striker vs. Grappler… Or Not So Simple?

On paper, this fight has all the makings of a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. But to reduce it to just that would be a mistake.

Chimaev has explosive punching power and has knocked out several opponents on the feet. Likewise, du Plessis has shown capable grappling, judo throws, and positional awareness to stay out of danger.

What makes this fight so compelling is the possibility that both fighters may choose to surprise each other by switching roles — Chimaev choosing to bang it out on the feet, and du Plessis diving into takedowns of his own.

Don’t be shocked if this ends up being a much more technical chess match than fans expect — at least until one man lands a fight-changing bomb.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

Not only is this a fight for the undisputed middleweight title, but it also carries massive legacy implications for both men.

• If du Plessis wins, he cements his place as one of the most unlikely and remarkable champions in recent UFC history, with a résumé that includes back-to-back wins over Chimaev, Adesanya, Whittaker, and Strickland.

• If Chimaev wins, he takes the belt in dominant fashion and officially becomes the scariest force in MMA today. It would also validate his meteoric rise and fulfill years of hype.

In either case, the UFC Middleweight division will have a new face — and the landscape will be changed forever.

Prediction: Collision Course Toward Violence

Everything about this matchup screams violence. From du Plessis’s relentless forward pressure to Chimaev’s suffocating ground game and wild striking, it’s hard to imagine this fight going the full five rounds without fireworks.

The early rounds will likely dictate the outcome. If Chimaev can impose his will and control from the top, he may be able to suffocate du Plessis into a stoppage. But if du Plessis can scramble, stuff takedowns, and fight fire with fire as Bisping suggests, he may shock the world once again.

Either way, UFC 320 is shaping up to be an unforgettable night, with two undefeated monsters colliding for gold, glory, and legacy.

Bold prediction? Pain.
Real prediction? An all-out war between the two most dangerous men in the UFC middleweight division.

Mark your calendars: August 16, UFC 320 — Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev. This is one you won’t want to miss.