Khamzat Chimaev stood out vividly against Dricus Du Plessis during their first encounter leading up to their highly anticipated world title fight scheduled for Saturday in Chicago. The striking difference in their size immediately caught attention as fans prepared for the <a href=”https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 319 event, highlighting Chimaev’s imposing presence over the South African contender.
Early Encounters Reveal Size Gap Between Chimaev and Du Plessis
As fight week commenced, the first meeting between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev was notably friendly despite the usual intense atmosphere. While Du Plessis is known for psychological tactics aimed at disrupting opponents, he maintained a composed demeanor during the interaction, which was captured on video by Alan Do Nascimento. The contrast in physical stature sparked discussions among fans, many of whom questioned the pronounced size discrepancy given their similar official heights.
One observer wrote,
“WT- is Chimaev that big or was it just the angle?”
Others noted, Khamzat is massive, emphasizing the perceived size advantage. Du Plessis appeared smaller as he reached to gauge Chimaev’s shoulder, though some attributed the difference partly to camera angles and Chimaev’s footwear, which may have added height. Official measurements list Chimaev at 6’2” and Du Plessis at 6’1”, showing only a one-inch difference.
Intense Weight Cuts Ahead of Championship Weigh-Ins
Both fighters face the challenge of making the 185-pound championship weight for Friday’s official weigh-in, requiring significant weight cuts. Du Plessis revealed that his reduction could be as much as 45 pounds, sharing that he still had a substantial amount to lose during the previous week. He explained,
“I’m still quite a fair bit away from 185lb,”
in an interview with the Chicago Sports Network, adding,
“But I do walk around at around 225lb to 230lb. That’s my walk-around weight out of camp, of course.”
Chimaev, on the other hand, reportedly weighed as much as 235 pounds outside of training camp. Though he previously competed at welterweight (171 pounds), ongoing difficulties making that limit prompted him to move up to middleweight, where he contends for the title.
Implications of Size and Conditioning for UFC 319 Title Clash
The visible size advantage of Khamzat Chimaev over Dricus Du Plessis, combined with their intense weight cuts, sets the stage for a physically demanding battle at UFC 319. Chimaev’s background as a former welterweight adjusting to middleweight adds a layer of intrigue, while Du Plessis aims to defend his unbeaten UFC record. With the weigh-ins and final promotional face-offs imminent, fans can anticipate a high-stakes contest that tests both fighters’ endurance and tactical skill under pressure.