Khamzat Chimaev is set to face Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, marking his first chance to claim the title. Weighing in at 183 pounds, the unbeaten fighter known as “Borz” aims to prove his skills in the competitive middleweight division, where many expect him to rise as a new dominant force.
Chimaev’s Past Performances and Challenges
Throughout his career, Chimaev has shown dominance in most of his fights, though there have been notable exceptions. His battles with Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman tested his endurance, both going the distance with unanimous decision victories for Chimaev. These competitive matchups demonstrated he can withstand pressure but also exposed areas needing improvement.
Kamaru Usman Shares His UFC 319 Prediction
On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound Podcast, former champion Kamaru Usman offered his take on the fight’s potential outcome, suggesting momentum could favor Chimaev at UFC 319. Usman explained,
“I think Khamzat Chimaev might actually go out there and get it done. If you look at the landscape of where we are right now, it’s almost like every so often we get a turn, we get a new generation of guys that come out and just become the superstars of the game. You’re talking Conor McGregor out of nowhere, the superstars of the game. You’re talking about Alexander Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya. You’re talking about Ilia Topuria. Now look at the landscape. We’ve got Tom Aspinall and you’ve got potentially Khamzat Chimaev.”
—Kamaru Usman, UFC Fighter
Usman’s Analysis of Du Plessis and Chimaev’s Readiness
Usman believes du Plessis has limited experience facing true wrestlers since his bout with Derek Brunson in 2023, which could be an advantage for Chimaev. He also admires du Plessis’s mental focus, calling him very locked in regardless of circumstances. However, Usman cautioned that if Chimaev has not fully prepared his cardio, du Plessis might retain the middleweight title. Despite Chimaev’s physical advantages, Usman doubts that every detail has been addressed ahead of fight night.
Significance and What to Watch for at UFC 319
This championship fight has major implications for the future of the middleweight division. A victory for Chimaev could establish him among the sport’s current superstars, joining ranks alongside names like Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. On the other hand, a win for du Plessis would confirm his status as a strong champion able to handle wrestling-centric challengers. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the outcome, which could influence matchmaking and divisional rivalries moving forward.