With the highly anticipated middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev set for UFC 319 next month, attention has turned to Chimaev’s ability to maintain his intensity throughout the full five rounds. The primary concern centers on whether Chimaev’s endurance will hold up against du Plessis, especially given the demanding nature of their matchup.

Former Champion Highlights Risks in Chimaev’s Fighting Style

Luke Rockhold, a former middleweight champion, has voiced doubts about Chimaev’s suitability for a five-round championship bout despite the fighter’s aggressive pressure and wrestling dominance. In a recent interview on Submission Radio, Rockhold emphasized the challenge du Plessis will face dealing with Chimaev’s early assault but suggested problems arise if the fight extends beyond the initial rounds.

“He is a f**king beast. He’s going to put on relentless pressure. He’s going to start fast and hard. Can Dricus take that? Take that first two rounds.”

—Luke Rockhold, Former UFC Middleweight Champion

Rockhold further explained the difficulties Chimaev may encounter as the fight progresses, pointing out the endurance demands of a longer bout:

“[If the fight progresses to the later round] I don’t like those opportunities for him. I’ve trained with DDP a lot, he is tough, he is not going to go away… You’ve got to dominate him from start to finish, or you’ve got to finish him early. I just don’t see how Khamzat is going to keep that pressure. His intensity can only…you can only keep that for so long. That’s not five-round material.”

—Luke Rockhold, Former UFC Middleweight Champion

Chimaev’s stamina has been under scrutiny since early in his UFC career, as fatigue has been visible when his previous fights extended past early rounds. Some critics question the decisiveness of his wins over fighters like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, emphasizing concerns about his ability to maintain relentless pressure deep into bouts.

Du Plessis Plans to Exploit Chimaev’s Cardio Weakness

Dricus du Plessis acknowledges the endurance issue and intends to capitalize on it when they face each other. Known as “Stillknocks,” du Plessis is aware that Chimaev typically struggles to sustain his trademark aggression in later stages of a fight. In a recent conversation with Shakiel Mahjouri, the South African fighter outlined his tactical approach to exploiting this vulnerability.

“We’ve seen him being as exhausted as anybody can be in the third round. This is a five-rounder. Bring your first round. I’m going to meet you in the middle, and we’re going to wrestle… Then we’ll come out in the second round and see what you feel like… and then we’re going to fight my fight. Then we’re going to wrestle on my terms, and then we’re going to strike on my terms.”

—Dricus du Plessis, UFC Middleweight Contender

Du Plessis’ strategy revolves around surviving Chimaev’s early onslaught and then shifting the fight’s pace to benefit his own strengths as the rounds progress. This approach not only aims to neutralize Chimaev’s initial pressure but also seeks to test the stamina and adaptability of the Chechnya-born fighter, who represents the UAE in competition.

What to Expect as UFC 319 Approaches

The upcoming title clash carries high stakes for both competitors. Khamzat Chimaev’s raw intensity and wrestling prowess have made him a formidable contender, but his apparent endurance limitations pose a significant risk over five rounds. Meanwhile, du Plessis prepares to exploit this by pacing the fight strategically and transitioning between wrestling and striking to wear Chimaev down.

This contest will not only test du Plessis’ ability to withstand early pressure but also shine a spotlight on whether Chimaev can evolve into a true five-round fighter at the elite UFC level. The outcome is likely to influence perceptions of Chimaev’s future in the middleweight division and his capability to remain champion caliber when demands extend beyond his usual fight tempo.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?

A. Khamzat Chimaev currently has an estimated net worth of about $3 million. At 30 years old, he is a well-known figure in Russia. As an MMA star, he has achieved victory in all 14 of his professional matches, with 12 of those wins by knockout or submission.

Q. Why was Khamzat Chimaev cancelled?

A. UFC president Dana White said on Thursday that Chimaev will not participate in the main event of UFC on ABC 6 due to being very sick.

Q. Who is better, Khamzat Chimaev or Khabib?

A. Khabib is definitely superior to the others. However, Khamzat seems more intimidating. The concern is whether you will withstand the first round. According to Ezekiel De La Rosa, being scarier doesn’t necessarily make someone better.

Q. Does Khamzat Chimaev have a disease?

A. A 30-year-old got Covid in December 2020 and has been dealing with ongoing symptoms, only managing to fight four times in four years.