Sean Strickland has shared his insight on what will determine the outcome when Dricus du Plessis faces Khamzat Chimaev in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 319. Scheduled for August 16 in Chicago, the bout will see du Plessis defend his middleweight title against the undefeated challenger Chimaev, who is eager to claim the crown at 185 pounds. Strickland’s UFC 319 prediction centers on a specific challenge du Plessis must overcome to maintain his reign.
Du Plessis’ Standup vs. Chimaev’s Grappling Pressure
Having fought du Plessis twice inside the Octagon, Strickland is well aware of the South African’s strengths, particularly his striking skills. However, Strickland pointed out in an interview with Red Corner MMA that Chimaev’s grappling ability will put significant pressure on du Plessis, which could influence the fight’s result.
“Dricus has better standup than Chimaev, but Chimaev has pretty crazy grappling. I’ve been training with these Dagi f***ing t*rrorists my entire life. I know how to get up from these guys and withstand a storm…”
—Sean Strickland, UFC Fighter
Strickland continues, emphasizing the level of wrestling du Plessis will face:
“I don’t know if he [Dricus] has encountered that level of wrestling to where it might get him a little off guard. Dricus really has to be ready for an extreme amount of pressure on the ground. If he can withstand that, he’s gonna beat him [Khamzat].”
Endurance and Championship Rounds Could Shape the Fight’s Outcome
Another factor under consideration is Chimaev’s cardio, which some believe could become decisive if the fight advances into the later rounds. While du Plessis has experience in full-length championship bouts, Chimaev has yet to fight beyond the third round in the UFC. Observers speculate that if the contest reaches the fourth and fifth rounds, du Plessis might capitalize on his endurance advantage to outlast and potentially finish his opponent.
Ahead of the UFC 319 Event
As fight week approaches, anticipation grows around this high-stakes middleweight encounter. Media outlets, including BJPenn.com, plan to provide thorough coverage with weigh-in updates and live results on fight night. This level of engagement reflects the widespread interest in a matchup that could reshape the UFC middleweight division.