Dricus du Plessis recently shared his strong desire to fight Khamzat Chimaev in front of the crowd in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where Chimaev obtained citizenship earlier this year. Du Plessis was eager to challenge Chimaev on familiar ground to take advantage of the regional support during their upcoming Khamzat Chimaev <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 319 fight.
Chimaev, who has only fought once in the United States since his UFC debut, faced visa difficulties that limited his ability to compete stateside. However, with his new status as a UAE citizen, Chimaev is now cleared to return to the U.S., preparing for the highly anticipated matchup with du Plessis set for August 16 in Chicago.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, du Plessis explained how he pressed UFC officials to hold the fight in the Middle East, stating,
”Hey, I’m going to be super honest with you, before this fight was made, I’m assuming the UFC got away for him or his team, I don’t know, somebody figured out that he can’t get into the US before announcing the fight for sure and before letting me know that we are fighting. So my request was I asked the UFC and I begged them actually, I want to fight him either in Abu Dhabi, fight him in his neck of the woods like I have been doing with so many other opponents.” —Dricus du Plessis
He continued,
”And I’ve grown quite fond of that. So that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to fight in Abu Dhabi, Saudi [Arabia], any of that region, anywhere in that region, fight him there in front of his own crowd, his people.” —Dricus du Plessis
Underdog Du Plessis Eager to Prove Himself Against Undefeated Chimaev
As the reigning middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis enters the UFC 319 main event against the unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev as the underdog. Despite this, du Plessis remains calm and confident, focused on showcasing his skills on fight night.
In an interview with FOX 32 Chicago, du Plessis reflected on his career as an underdog and his mindset heading into this critical bout:
”I’m the underdog. I’ve been the underdog for most of my career, yet I am the champion. So, odds don’t make fights and for me, I 100 percent believe this is the best opponent that I have faced to date. But so was the previous one. Every time you step in there, you’re going to face the next most dangerous guy, especially as the champion. So for me, yes, this is the best opponent I’ve ever come up against, but once again, I’ll show my improvements and why I am the champion.” —Dricus du Plessis
Implications of the UFC 319 Fight for Both Fighters’ Careers
The upcoming UFC 319 encounter in Chicago is poised to be a defining moment for both du Plessis and Chimaev. For du Plessis, defeating an undefeated contender on his home turf would solidify his status as middleweight champion and enhance his legacy. For Chimaev, the fight offers a chance to prove himself on American soil after months of visa complications.
The bout’s location, originally a point of contention for du Plessis who sought a Middle Eastern venue, now shifts to the United States, reflecting Chimaev’s new citizenship status. This matchup is not just a battle for the title, but also a test of adaptability and mental toughness from both fighters.
As the event approaches, fans and analysts alike will watch closely how du Plessis manages the challenge of facing Khamzat Chimaev in a high-stakes environment that blends personal ambition and regional pride.