Dricus du Plessis is set to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, with his training partner Mark Hulme confidently predicting a quick victory for the South African fighter. Hulme expects du Plessis to finish the fight in under three rounds, relying on his wrestling skills to outmatch Chimaev in what promises to be a highly anticipated middleweight title defense in Chicago.
Mark Hulme’s Confidence in Du Plessis’ Wrestling Edge
<pMark Hulme, a fellow middleweight competitor with a 13-3 record, trains alongside du Plessis at the CIT Performance Institute in Pretoria, South Africa. Ahead of his own fight at OKTAGON 74 on August 9, Hulme spoke with talkSPORT.com and shared strong confidence that du Plessis will continue his winning streak when he takes on Chimaev.
Hulme emphasized du Plessis’ wrestling capability and his determination to prove himself against the formidable opponent. “Dricus finishes him under three,” Hulme predicted about the main event.
“I can’t see [Chimaev] lasting more than three. He’s going to come out and burn himself.”
Hulme also downplayed the perception of Chimaev’s wrestling prowess compared to du Plessis, stating,
“If people think that Khamzat is the guy to wrestle, he might just hold him off and shove his head up his a**.”
Upcoming Bout and Training Background
Just one week before du Plessis walks into the cage at UFC 319, Hulme will compete in the semi-finals of the Tipsport Gamechanger tournament against rising Czech fighter Dominik Humburger in Prague at OKTAGON 74. If Hulme succeeds, he will claim a substantial prize of up to €300,000, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Hulme and du Plessis have shared a training relationship dating back five years, shortly after du Plessis entered the UFC. Their bond began when Hulme reached out seeking a gym and training partner, and du Plessis welcomed him immediately.
Reflecting on his first impressions, Hulme said,
“I was there the next day and started experiencing … South Africans are wild. The world doesn’t know. We like fighting. We grew up with a fighting culture.”
Dricus du Plessis’ UFC Career and Achievements
Du Plessis has maintained an undefeated 9-0 record in the UFC, showcasing his ability to finish opponents early in most of his first six fights. After debuting in October 2020 as a former KSW star, du Plessis quickly rose through the ranks to claim the middleweight title at UFC 297 in January 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland via split decision.
Since winning the belt, he successfully defended it twice, including a rematch against Strickland and a bout with former champion Israel Adesanya.
Hulme highlighted du Plessis’ remarkable journey, saying,
“It’s truly inspirational to see what Dricus has done,”
before detailing du Plessis’ relentless work ethic and consistent fight-taking during a challenging period marked by the COVID pandemic.
He added,
“That man has been relentless. That man has been slaying away, he’s been taking fights, he’s been doing all the work.”
Hulme expressed pride in training alongside du Plessis, noting,
“To be able to train with someone like that and not only see what this guy is doing is paying off, but also to see I’m doing the same s***. There’s a reason that I’ve travelled with him to multiple of his fights. I’ve got that in me.”
He reaffirmed his motivation, stating,
“I’ve got that in me, I believe I’ve got that in me. Seeing him achieve it brings great joy to me and just motivates me to go out and do the best that I can and where I can.”
Mark Hulme’s Own MMA Journey and Future Prospects
Before his upcoming fight in Prague, Hulme recently achieved a notable win over Andreas Michailidis via guillotine choke and competed on season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter, where he was the fourth pick by UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Despite being eliminated by Paddy McCorry, Hulme described the experience as “died a metaphorical death.”
Now pushing forward without fear, Hulme appears determined to build momentum both in OKTAGON and beyond. His connection with du Plessis, coupled with his own recent success, positions him as a rising fighter to watch in 2025.
What Lies Ahead for UFC 319 and the Middleweight Division
The upcoming UFC 319 fight between du Plessis and Chimaev is generating significant buzz, particularly with insiders like Hulme predicting a decisive finish. This bout represents a crucial moment for both fighters, as du Plessis aims to solidify his reign as middleweight champion, while Chimaev seeks to assert himself as a dominant force on the UFC roster.
The outcome could influence the future landscape of the division and the careers of these two highly skilled MMA athletes. Fans and analysts alike are anticipating a fiercely competitive contest that will highlight high-level wrestling, striking, and strategy.