Mixed Martial Arts experts remain divided over the outcome of the upcoming fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, with the general consensus suggesting Chimaev will dominate if he finishes early, while du Plessis may have the advantage if the match extends beyond two rounds. However, former UFC fighter and current analyst Din Thomas challenges this simplistic view, emphasizing that the key to du Plessis’s victory lies in his ability to engage Chimaev’s wrestling.
Chimaev, a Chechen-born fighter representing the United Arab Emirates, is widely regarded as one of the most formidable grapplers in MMA today, known for his relentless wrestling approach. His dominance on the ground has detered many opponents from attempting to grapple, often altering their fight strategy to avoid his clinch and takedowns.
Din Thomas Urges Du Plessis to Confront Chimaev’s Grappling Head-On
Din Thomas argues that avoiding Chimaev’s wrestling would be a critical mistake for du Plessis, known as ‘Stillknocks.’ In a recent interview with Mike Bohn, Thomas insisted that du Plessis must accept the wrestling battle if he wants to have a serious chance at winning.
“I really do believe this comes down to DDP [du Plessis] challenging Khamzat on the floor. You have to be able to grapple with Khamzat if you want to have any chance of winning. That’s the reality of it. All of these guys, they try to get away from him… He is going to get you. You might as well get it out of the way.”
Further, Thomas suggested du Plessis could even adopt an assertive grappling strategy by attempting takedowns himself, forcing Chimaev to respond and making it clear that du Plessis can match his wrestling skills.
“I don’t think it’s a bad strategy, or even be surprised if DDP shot on him. He might not get the takedown, but you’ve got to show you can grapple with him. Like, if you want to trade with him, make him feel that’s the only option of winning.”
UFC Legend Tito Ortiz Highlights the Gap in Wrestling Ability
Echoing concerns about Chimaev’s wrestling prowess, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz expressed strong confidence that Chimaev’s grappling superiority will become evident when he faces du Plessis. Speaking to Helen Yee, Ortiz predicted that the middleweight champion might be in for a harsh lesson regarding the level of wrestling required to contend with ‘Borz.’
“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.”
Impact of Chimaev’s Wrestling Dominance on UFC 319’s Outcome
The emphasis on Khamzat Chimaev wrestling dominance shapes the narrative heading into UFC 319, placing significant pressure on du Plessis to adapt his approach. Analysts argue that unless du Plessis confronts Chimaev’s signature grappling tactics directly, he risks being overwhelmed by the dominant ground game that Chimaev has perfected. This sets the stage for an intense, high-stakes matchup where wrestling skill could determine the victor under the bright lights.
As the fight approaches, attention will focus on whether du Plessis can overcome the challenge by matching or even initiating grappling exchanges, potentially disrupting Chimaev’s well-established rhythm. The bout is widely expected to test the limits of both fighters now that their strengths have been clearly defined and analyzed by experts like Din Thomas and Tito Ortiz.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?
A. Currently, Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is around $3 million. At 30 years old, he’s very wealthy and famous in Russia. The MMA star has won all 14 of his professional matches, and 12 of them were by stoppage.
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev rich?
A. Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is now over $3 million.
Q. Why was Khamzat Chimaev cancelled?
A. On February 11, UFC president Dana White said the fight was canceled again because Chimaev was still experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19.
Q. Why did Khamzat Chimaev cancel?
A. The UFC planned to have Chimaev face Leon Edwards, a top welterweight contender, in his first main event fight. This match was arranged three times from December 2020 to March 2021. Each time, it was canceled because Chimaev had issues related to COVID-19.