Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his 185-pound title in the upcoming UFC 319 pay-per-view main event against Khamzat Chimaev, a matchup eagerly anticipated for its test of contrasting fighting styles. As the South African champion sharpens his wrestling skills in preparation, a surprising $10,000 wrestling bet has emerged, raising questions about his chances against the dominant Chechen grappler.
The unusual wager began circulating on social media when coach Morne Visser posted a video showing training partners lining up after a grueling two-hour sparring session. Visser confidently offered $10,000 to anyone who could take Du Plessis down, a challenge Du Plessis himself confirmed was serious. This bold proclamation has sparked intense debate among the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/”>MMA community about Du Plessis’ wrestling ability heading into the Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 challenge.
Known primarily for his aggressive striking style, which often involves taking hits head-on to deliver powerful blows using an unorthodox kickboxing and K1-based approach, Dricus Du Plessis is showing new focus on wrestling. While he has previously relied on his striking, he demonstrated defensive wrestling and submission skills by submitting former champion Israel Adesanya with a third-round rear-naked choke at UFC 305.
Du Plessis maintains a takedown average of 2.55 per fight, with about 50% accuracy. In his bouts with Adesanya, he successfully took the champion down twice while avoiding significant counterattacks. MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has noted Du Plessis’ wrestling background, highlighting his time training with South Africa’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team, an elite pedigree shared by fighters such as Randy Couture and Dan Henderson.
“[Now] Dricus…Dricus Du Plessis did training with the national team in South Africa – Greco-Roman wrestling specifically. That’s what Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, and Ilia Topuria did…So, when Dricus says, ‘You can’t take me down,’ it’s a big claim coming from the champion of the world.”
—Chael Sonnen via his Official YT Channel
In contrast, Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling credentials are formidable. A three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion with an undefeated 12-0 amateur record at 92kg, Chimaev is well versed in sambo and judo as well. He has supplemented his grappling with striking training at Tiger Muay Thai, combining technical throws, takedowns, and ground control techniques. His devastating ground game was on full display when he submitted middleweight contender Robert Whittaker via a first-round face crank, signaling serious ground dominance.
Chimaev’s wrestling began at age five, giving him a lifetime of experience. This extensive background and his relentless pace make him a daunting opponent for Du Plessis. Experts warn the South African’s wrestling confidence might be misplaced against such a high-level tactician, especially given the nature of the $10,000 challenge issued earlier.
Expert Opinions Cast Doubt on Du Plessis’ Wrestling Bet Against Chimaev
Arman Tsarukyan, an undefeated lightweight contender known for his analytical insights, expressed skepticism about Du Plessis’ wager, suggesting it would cost the champion a large portion or even all of his fight earnings. Tsarukyan emphasized that while taking Chimaev down might be possible, maintaining control over him on the ground is an entirely different challenge.
“Just taking him down is not difficult, but holding him, him down…[is] more difficult. But, if he really thinks he’s going to pay $10,000…he’s not going to make money from that fight. He’s going to give all money to Khamzat by end.”
—Arman Tsarukyan on Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry (@Overdogspod)
Tsarukyan’s comments underline Chimaev’s elite wrestling and takedown defense, which boasts a perfect 100% success rate in denying opponents’ takedown attempts, alongside an average of 4.31 takedowns per fight. His recent victories over Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, the latter being the former #1 pound-for-pound fighter, demonstrate his ability to dominate even the toughest grapplers in the division. This makes Tsarukyan’s warning about Du Plessis’ bet notably serious.
Despite the odds, Du Plessis has proven to be more than just a striker. His only submission loss dates back 11 years ago to former UFC athlete Garreth McLellan via a guillotine choke. This history suggests he possesses some grappling resilience, though sports betting odds place him as a significant underdog at UFC 319. Fans and analysts remain divided over whether Du Plessis’ wrestling gamble will pay off or backfire against Chimaev’s relentless ground game.
Wrestling Training and Strategies Behind the Scenes
As the fight approaches, Du Plessis has dedicated considerable time to improving his wrestling skills, a shift from his traditional strike-first style. This change comes in response to Chimaev’s well-documented grappling dominance and his work with Olympic-level wrestling coaches. Du Plessis and his Team CIT Performance Institute camp have been openly sharing glimpses of wrestling drills and sparring sessions, fueling speculation about his preparation for the challenge.
Coach Morne Visser’s $10,000 challenge was issued after a demanding two-hour training session, testing teammates’ abilities to take down a highly skilled opponent in Du Plessis. The seriousness with which both coach and fighter embraced the wager reflects their confidence but also stirs debate about whether this confidence is warranted ahead of such a stern test.
“My face when the 2 hour session is done and @coachmornevisser says everyone line up, 10k for the first guy to take down DDP and you think it’s a joke but coach doesn’t joke about these things… #trainhardfighteasy #teamCIT #preparetobeamazed #ufc319”
—Dricus Du Plessis via IG (@dricusduplessis)
This level of intensity in training highlights the urgency Du Plessis feels to evolve his game, but the disparity between Greco-Roman wrestling, which Du Plessis trained in, and Chimaev’s freestyle wrestling expertise remains significant. Greco-Roman wrestling limits holds to above the waist, while freestyle wrestling, Chimaev’s specialty, permits leg attacks and a wider variety of takedowns, possibly giving Chimaev an edge in versatility and control.
Implications for UFC 319 and the Future of Middleweight Competition
The upcoming UFC 319 showdown is more than just a title defense for Du Plessis; it is a critical moment in proving whether his recent wrestling emphasis can counter Chimaev’s dominant ground assault. Fans eagerly anticipate how Du Plessis’ blend of striking and improved wrestling will hold up against the relentless pace and wrestling prowess of the undefeated Chechen fighter.
Chimaev’s undefeated record, superior takedown statistics, and ground control skills indicate he is the favorite, yet Du Plessis’ willingness to confront these challenges head-on, including the controversial wrestling bet, shows determination and confidence. How the fight unfolds could influence future middleweight rivalries and strategies, especially regarding the importance of all-around wrestling and grappling skills in MMA.
With UFC 319 rapidly approaching, the fight promises to be a litmus test for whether Du Plessis can prove his critics wrong or if Chimaev continues to cement his legacy as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the sport’s history.