Dricus Du Plessis may cause an upset against Khamzat Chimaev, according to Mark Hulme, who believes the South African fighter has the ability to secure an early submission. The upcoming middleweight title fight between Du Plessis and Chimaev is generating significant anticipation ahead of UFC 319, with both athletes preparing intensely for this pivotal encounter.
Mark Hulme Predicts Early Submission Victory for Du Plessis
Having trained closely with Dricus Du Plessis over the years, Mark Hulme speaks from firsthand experience regarding his countryman’s skills and potential. Hulme anticipates that Du Plessis could catch Khamzat Chimaev off guard with a fast guillotine choke, possibly delivering a finish within the first round.
In an exclusive conversation with Bloody Elbow, Hulme remarked,
Dricus gets it done under three. I wouldn’t be surprised if a guillotine lands in the first. That would be next level.
—Mark Hulme, Trainer and Close Training Partner
Both fighters have developed a strong bond through exhaustive training sessions. Hulme described these practices as highly intense, recalling a sparring session shortly before a fight against Robert Whittaker.
He explained how their high-energy training drew astonishment from those watching,
“It’s no secret things get intense. I wish I could remember what fight it was, it might’ve been the one before Robert Whittaker, and we were supposed to be doing technical sparring rounds in the PI. Everyone was stopping and looking and going ‘Are these guys crazy? They’re going at that pace and intensity that close to the fight’.”
Hulme expressed appreciation for sharing the gym with a world champion, saying,
It’s motivating to know a world champion chose for me to be there with him.
—Mark Hulme
Mark Hulme’s Remarkable Journey of Self-Discovery
Mark Hulme’s path to becoming a respected figure in MMA has been marked by moments of personal challenge and transformation. Several years ago, during the 2020 Covid lockdowns, Hulme undertook a profound journey to find meaning and strength amid uncertainty.
He recounted,
“It was a journey of self-discovery. I was at a time in my life where I lost hope. I told my sister, ‘I want to meet God on a mountain’. She laughed and said, ‘There’s a mountain in Cape Town’.”
With commercial flights unavailable, Hulme decided to walk from Johannesburg to Cape Town, determined to reach a meaningful destination. He shared,
It was 2020, during Covid, there were no flights, but I thought, ‘I really want this meeting, so I’ll walk there’. Then, it took me 50 days to get there.
—Mark Hulme
His route led him to Diaz Beach near the Cape of Good Hope, where he sought the spiritual encounter he desired. Inspired by a friend’s suggestion, he tackled the 13 Peaks Challenge, which involved hiking 107 kilometers across 13 challenging peaks in Cape Town. At the summit of the final peak, after enduring exhaustion and doubts, Hulme expressed his gratitude, praying,
“I love you God and thank you for the journey.”
Reflecting on both his personal growth and upcoming fights, Hulme highlighted the importance of perspective, adding,
That’s what life is all about, sometimes we can get too serious, like ‘I’m fighting Dominik Humburger’, but I don’t have to be there every day, when I get in the cage I can switch that s— on’.
—Mark Hulme
Upcoming Challenges for Du Plessis and Chimaev
Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev, who is rapidly gaining attention in the UFC for his impressive record and versatile fighting style. The bout is scheduled to take place at UFC 319, representing a major opportunity for both fighters to solidify their standing in the division.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis’s teammate is preparing for a crucial quarter-final bout in the €1,000,000 Tipsport Gamechanger competition against Dominik Humburger at Oktagon 74, underscoring the high stakes surrounding their respective careers.
Despite Joe Rogan’s assessment that Chimaev’s grappling skills surpass those of Du Plessis by significant margins, Hulme remains confident that his friend possesses the tools to retain his championship and deliver a surprising outcome.
What Lies Ahead for Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
This fight represents a critical moment in both athletes’ careers, with Du Plessis aiming to prove his resilience against a highly skilled opponent known for his dominant grappling. Should Hulme’s prediction come to pass, an early guillotine choke could drastically alter the expectations surrounding Chimaev’s rising trajectory.
The match’s outcome will likely influence the middleweight division’s future landscape, affecting rankings and title contention. As both fighters prepare, their shared history and rigorous training add depth to this highly anticipated showdown, promising an intense battle that fans will closely watch.