Robert Whittaker, who has faced both Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, offered a strong prediction ahead of their UFC middleweight title fight scheduled for August 16 in Chicago. Whittaker insists Chimaev must secure a first-round finish against Du Plessis to claim the championship, emphasizing the high stakes of the upcoming bout.
Whittaker emphasizes quick finish as key for Chimaev against Du Plessis
At the UFC 319 event, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title, aiming to dethrone the South African champion. Both men have previously defeated Whittaker: Du Plessis knocked him out in the second round during International Fight Week 2023, while Chimaev submitted him with a face crank in under four minutes in 2024.
Whittaker analyzed the matchup during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, drawing from his firsthand experience with both fighters. He highlighted that Chimaev’s ability to finish fights quickly will be decisive against Du Plessis.
Chimaev is going to get him to the ground,
Whittaker said. If he doesn’t finish him there, I don’t think he wins. That’s just how I feel.
He added,
If you can’t get Dricus out in the first, which Chimaev can do — first-round finishes is his thing, right? — but if he doesn’t get him out of there, I think Dricus looks good, very promising.
Whittaker concluded that Du Plessis’s strength lies in his resilience if the fight extends beyond the opening round.
He’s a guy that if you don’t get rid of, he kind of wins,
Whittaker noted.
Whittaker prepares for comeback at UFC Abu Dhabi with eyes on rematch
Whittaker is returning to competition after recovering from injuries sustained in his last bout with Chimaev’s submission. His comeback fight takes place this Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he will headline the event. This fight marks Whittaker’s third consecutive fight in the Middle East.
In his previous appearance, Whittaker secured a quick knockout against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia last summer, and he aims to build on that success. His opponent in Abu Dhabi will be Reinier de Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder who remains undefeated in the UFC at 3-0.
Regardless of the outcomes at UFC 319, Whittaker is poised to pursue a rematch for the middleweight title, keeping his focus on regaining championship status in the division.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?
A. As of now, Khamzat Chimaev is believed to have a net worth of about $3 million. At 30 years old, he is very famous in Russia and has considerable wealth. This mixed martial arts star has achieved victory in all 14 of his professional matches, with 12 of those being decisive wins.
Q. What illness does Khamzat Chimaev have?
A. The 30-year-old got Covid in December 2020 and is still dealing with its long-lasting symptoms. He has only fought four times in the past four years because of this. Now, Chimaev also has to take care of his young son and ensure both of them stay healthy.
Q. Who is better, Khamzat Chimaev or Khabib?
A. Chimaev is definitely more talented. While Khabib and Islam are both excellent, the Chechen fighter has superior skills. His focus on grappling and wrestling often leads to less exciting matches.
Q. Does Khamzat Chimaev have a disease?
A. A 30-year-old got Covid in December 2020 and has been dealing with its long-lasting effects, having only fought four times in the past four years.