Dricus du Plessis has praised Khamzat Chimaev’s skill ahead of their highly anticipated Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 showdown. The middleweight title fight is scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, where du Plessis expressed deep respect for the Chechen-born fighter while promising a surprising performance.
Du Plessis Recognizes Chimaev’s Exceptional Talent
In the lead-up to UFC 319, du Plessis acknowledged the high regard many hold for Chimaev, dismissing any claims that the fighter is overrated. During an interview with Ariel Helwani, du Plessis emphasized that he had understood Chimaev’s potential from the very beginning.
“No. I think Khamzat is a special fighter… The first time I saw him fight, I knew this guy was gonna be special. 100%… Listen, he speaks a lot more than he fights, I can tell you that much… He was calling out welterweights, middleweights, light heavyweights but he wasn’t fighting anyone.”
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC middleweight contender
Du Plessis further clarified his stance on Chimaev’s reputation and skill level, making it clear that he believes Chimaev matches the expectations fans have for him.
“There was never ever a stage where I went, ‘Oh, this guy’s overrated.’ No, he is as good as people think. I think he is as good as people think, I just think I’m a lot better than people think.”
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC middleweight contender
Confidence Builds as Du Plessis Prepares for the Middleweight Title Bout
Despite holding Chimaev in high regard, du Plessis remains confident that the UFC middleweight championship will return home with him after their August 16 fight. He expressed his readiness to face the challenge and break through against a formidable grappler.
Discussing Chimaev’s training and preparation, du Plessis downplayed recent changes Chimaev had made, reinforcing his own experience and dedication to fight readiness.
“I have to say, Khamzat looks incredible in training… People are talking about, ‘Oh, he’s training with this new coach.’ I’m very happy for him, he did it five weeks out from the fight. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I’ve been fighting title fights, I did it for five-six years, entered the UFC, defended my belt twice already. The hard work that he’s putting in, that people are going, ‘Oh, he’s really training hard,’ that’s what I’ve been doing every single camp. Fight after fight after fight. That’s not new to me.”
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC middleweight contender
He also declared that he is prepared to shock the MMA world at UFC 319, asserting his dominance as “The Boogeyman” inside the octagon.
“I know he’s going to come in there prepared… I can’t wait. This is gonna be history. I’m going out there and I’m going to shock the world once again… You’re gonna see ‘The Boogeyman’ break in there and then realize, there’s only one ‘Boogeyman,’ and that’s me.”
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC middleweight contender
Anticipated Impact of UFC 319’s Middleweight Title Fight
The upcoming clash between du Plessis and Chimaev is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in UFC middleweight history. With du Plessis vowing to upset expectations and Chimaev bringing his special skill set to the cage, fans can expect an intense showdown. The outcome is likely to shape the division’s future, impacting rankings and the landscape of title opportunities.
As the event approaches at Chicago’s United Center, both fighters are prepared to demonstrate why they belong at the top of the sport, making the Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 showdown one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year.