The UFC is approaching one of its most highly anticipated events of the year, UFC 320 on August 16, where Dricus du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev. This Khamzat Chimaev UFC fight promises to be a defining moment for both undefeated fighters as they clash in a battle for supremacy inside the Octagon.
Michael Bisping Advises du Plessis to Engage Chimaev’s Wrestling Style Directly
Khamzat Chimaev is known for his dominating wrestling abilities, averaging more than four takedowns per fight while maintaining perfect takedown defense. His performance against Kamaru Usman, where he secured four takedowns against one of the UFC’s best wrestlers, has established him as one of the most formidable grapplers in the division. Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has urged Dricus du Plessis to confront Chimaev head-on rather than avoid his strengths.
Dricus du Plessis, I mean, you cannot doubt this guy,
Bisping said during the UFC Abu Dhabi post-fight show.
He highlighted du Plessis’s toughness and skillset, noting,
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 emphasized du Plessis’s physical attributes, wrestling background, judo skills, and his endurance after a nose surgery that improved his stamina. He warned that trying to evade Chimaev’s relentless wrestling would be futile.
[Chimaev’s] going to get you down,
Bisping added, referencing Chimaev’s dominance over Usman.
He urged du Plessis to confront Chimaev directly:
Nah. Screw that. Meet him head on,
and
Fight him at his own game…
Dricus du Plessis’s Resilience and Past Challenges Against Submission Specialists
Dricus du Plessis has maintained a perfect 9-0 record in the UFC, including victories over top contenders such as Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland. Despite his current unbeaten streak, du Plessis has two professional losses earlier in his career. One was a submission loss via guillotine choke to former UFC fighter Garreth McLellan in 2014, marking his only defeat by submission in over a decade.
His other loss came against striker Roberto Soldic in a KSW title rematch in 2018, where du Plessis had previously won by TKO. This record underscores his ability to bounce back and improve, applying pressure on Chimaev to overcome a fighter who has demonstrated adaptability and strength throughout his career.
The Stakes of the Upcoming UFC 320 Middleweight Title Bout
Khamzat Chimaev stands undefeated as well, with a 14-0 professional record and a balanced mix of finishes through knockouts and submissions. Known as ‘Borz,’ Chimaev’s swift rise has been marked by impressive performances against former champions such as Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, earning him a direct shot at the gold.
This fight will test du Plessis’s ability to match Chimaev’s aggressive wrestling while utilizing his well-rounded and unorthodox fighting style. The outcome of UFC 320 could significantly shape the middleweight division and highlight how an unbeaten champion like du Plessis handles one of the UFC’s most dominant grapplers.
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the showdown, as its results will determine if du Plessis can maintain his unbeaten UFC streak or if Chimaev will solidify his position as the new middleweight king by demonstrating his wrestling prowess once again.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?
A. Currently, Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. At 30 years old, he is a significant figure and superstar in Russia. The MMA star has an impressive record, winning all 14 of his professional matches, with 12 victories coming before the final round.
Q. Why was Khamzat Chimaev cancelled?
A. On February 11, UFC president Dana White shared that the fight was canceled again because Chimaev still had COVID-19 symptoms.
Q. Why did Khamzat Chimaev cancel?
A. The UFC planned for Chimaev to have his first main event fight against Leon Edwards, a highly-ranked welterweight fighter. They tried to schedule this fight three times from December 2020 to March 2021. Each attempt was canceled because Chimaev had issues related to COVID-19.
Q. Did Khamzat Chimaev ever lose a fight?
A. Khamzat Chimaev has a record of 14 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws.