As UFC 319 approaches this Saturday in Chicago, Illinois, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has voiced doubt over Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to dethrone middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis. The fight, highly anticipated and dubbed the “fight of the year” by UFC president Dana White, will determine whether Chimaev can join the ranks of undefeated champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ilia Topuria.
Despite Khamzat Chimaev’s undefeated 14-0 record and notable victories over former champions Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and former title contender Gilbert Burns, Woodley remains unconvinced that Chimaev is ready for the championship stage.
Woodley Backs Experienced Du Plessis to Defend His Middleweight Title
Woodley highlights that Chimaev, at 31 years old, is stepping into his first title fight and has minimal experience in championship rounds, having only reached the third round twice in his career. Contrastingly, Du Plessis is on the cusp of defending his belt for the third time after wins over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Khamzat is good, but he’s not great,
Woodley said in an interview with Action Network.
He could be, and likely will be, but he’s not great right now.
DDP has to be a spoiler, stay focused. He’s shown up in fights and beaten people like Stylebender [Israel Adesanya]. He’s kind of like the underdog, the people’s champion. He doesn’t talk much trash but he wins a lot of fights. I think he could win this fight,
Woodley added about Du Plessis, often abbreviated as DDP.
Woodley also expressed frustration with what he perceives as the UFC’s effort to build Chimaev into a star prematurely.
I’mma go DDP just because I hate when they try to force-feed a star, I hate when they try to groom somebody into something…
You let them fight. Let them sort out what they’re gonna do. And I feel like there’s been a lot of grooming of him, and there’s been a lot of talk, and a lot of hype,
Woodley said.
I give him his credit, but I’mma just play the wild card. I’m gonna go with DDP.
Diverse Predictions Highlight the Uncertainty Surrounding UFC 319’s Main Event
The matchup between Du Plessis and Chimaev poses a complex stylistic puzzle for fight fans and experts alike. While Chimaev enters as the betting favorite, known for his wrestling prowess and undefeated streak, Du Plessis’s unorthodox and versatile fighting style makes him a formidable champion.
Backing Chimaev’s chances are former opponents Darren Till and Kamaru Usman, both emphasizing his potential to capture the middleweight crown. However, other notable fighters like Gilbert Burns—who challenged Chimaev closely in the past—and former champion Sean Strickland predict that Du Plessis will successfully defend his title. Mixed in the predictions is also Chris Weidman, who favors Du Plessis.
This range of perspectives underlines the tense anticipation leading into UFC 319, where either fighter could emerge with a stronger legacy.
What This Fight Means for the Middleweight Division
If Dricus Du Plessis maintains his title, he will solidify his position as one of the division’s dominant figures, continuing his streak of championship defenses. A win for Chimaev would instantly elevate him to elite company, potentially reshaping the landscape of the middleweight division by becoming an undefeated world champion.
The outcome will also affect ongoing narratives about the rise of young stars versus the reign of experience in the UFC, making this Saturday’s fight a critical moment for both fighters’ careers and the sport’s future.