The upcoming bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC fights this year. Scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, the match has fans eager for a thrilling contest. The Khamzat Chimaev UFC fight preview highlights the contrast in fighting styles that makes this clash particularly compelling.
Khamzat Chimaev, known for his relentless wrestling and aggressive approach, has been a dominant force inside the octagon. The 31-year-old Chechen-born Emirati fighter’s grappling skills have allowed him to overpower many opponents early in fights. Despite his dominance, Chimaev has shown vulnerability in longer battles, with tough encounters against elite fighters like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns exposing some endurance challenges in the later rounds.
In comparison, Du Plessis has demonstrated solid conditioning and resilience in five-round fights, which some believe could play to his advantage. His unorthodox fighting style also presents a unique challenge, leading many in mixed martial arts circles to believe he could hand Chimaev his first professional loss.
UFC Legend Predicts Chimaev’s Wrestling Will Overwhelm Du Plessis
However, UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz offers a different perspective on this highly anticipated fight. Speaking with Helen Yee, Ortiz expressed strong confidence in Chimaev’s wrestling abilities, suggesting that Du Plessis might face harsh reality when matched against the Chechen’s relentless pressure.
“People are going to see how vicious Chimaev truly is. I respect the guy; he is a monster. Du Plessis is the champ. I think he is in for a rude awakening, because he is going to realize his wrestling is not as Chimaev’s truly is.”
—Tito Ortiz, UFC Hall of Famer
Ortiz believes that Chimaev will likely dominate the fight by using his superior wrestling, possibly finishing Du Plessis before the fifth round. He predicts a finish by the fourth round, highlighting Chimaev’s ability to control his opponent on the ground and impose his will early in the contest.
MMA Influencer Offers Bold Take on Du Plessis’ Strategy Against Chimaev
Adding another angle to the fight analysis, MMA Guru, a well-known MMA personality, shared a surprising prediction about Du Plessis’ approach. Contrary to the typical tactic of avoiding Chimaev’s wrestling, MMA Guru speculates that Du Plessis might proactively engage with Chimaev on the ground and deliberately pull guard to control positioning.
“I think he’ll shoot in [on Chimaev]. I don’t know if I’m DDP, I’m shooting in on Chimaev. If he is getting taken down, he’ll be like, I’m pulling guard, I’m not going to be cramped up against the cage. If you shoot early, we’re in the center of the cage [and] I’m in guard. So I think he takes the center early, it doesn’t stop him, flops right to his back, but it’ll be so easy for Chimaev, whereas other people might put up a bit of sprawl. I think DDP, round four, round three TKO.”
—MMA Guru, MMA Personality
This strategy, according to MMA Guru, could allow Du Plessis to avoid the more grueling wrestling exchanges against Chimaev by controlling the fight from his back in the center of the cage. Despite this, he predicts a technical knockout victory for Chimaev somewhere in the third or fourth round.
What This Fight Means for UFC 319 and Beyond
The duel between Du Plessis and Chimaev is set to test both fighters’ stamina, wrestling proficiency, and adaptability under pressure. While Du Plessis’ strong performances in extended fights give him some hope, the combination of Chimaev’s high-pressure style and wrestling pedigree presents an imposing challenge. The fight’s outcome could have significant implications for the UFC welterweight division’s hierarchy and shape potential future title contenders.
Fans will be watching closely on August 16 in Chicago, as the contest promises a mix of technical grappling and striking, with strategic decisions likely determining the winner. Whether Du Plessis can overcome what Ortiz calls a “rude awakening” or if Chimaev continues his rise with another dominant victory remains one of UFC 319’s most intriguing storylines.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?
A. As of now, Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is around $3 million. At 30 years old, he’s a major star in Russia. Chimaev, the MMA fighter, has won all 14 of his professional matches, with 12 victories not going the full distance.
Q. Why was Khamzat Chimaev cancelled?
A. But on February 11, UFC president Dana White said the fight was called off again because Chimaev still had COVID-19 symptoms.
Q. Did Khamzat Chimaev ever lose a fight?
A. Khamzat Chimaev has a record of 14 wins, no losses, and no draws.