UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis prepares to defend his title against undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev this weekend at UFC 319 in Chicago. Despite holding a flawless 9-0 record inside the Octagon, Du Plessis continues to face skepticism from fans and critics questioning his claim to the championship.
Though championship status often secures recognition as the best in the world, Du Plessis remains a target of persistent doubt partly due to his unconventional style and the formidable reputation of his challenger. This upcoming bout has become a critical moment for the South African titleholder to silence detractors while fighting the division’s top contender.
Champion’s Determination to Face the Best
Du Plessis has expressed a strong desire to test himself against the toughest opponents, emphasizing that he does not want a padded record. His journey to the title has been marked by victories over respected contenders, yet many still view his place atop the division as unproven.
“It’s not him — it’s that people think it’s him, that he’s the guy,”
Du Plessis explained when asked why securing a fight with Chimaev was so important that he was willing to travel to Abu Dhabi to make it happen.
He added,
“Everybody knows he deserves this title shot, so that’s why I want this fight. I want to beat the best in the world to prove I’m the greatest.”
His willingness to face Chimaev head-on underlines his commitment to proving himself against the division’s elite fighter, despite the pressure of defending his championship against an undefeated opponent.
UFC 319 Set to Showcase an Intense Title Battle
The matchup between Du Plessis and Chimaev is scheduled for UFC 319 at the United Center, with prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET on August 16 and the main card at 10 p.m. ET. The event features a major middleweight title defense that could decisively shape the division’s future and legacy of both fighters.
Though a titleholder usually commands respect and acceptance, Du Plessis faces heightened scrutiny due to his stylistic differences and the reputation of Khamzat Chimaev, who many regard as the next dominant force in the UFC’s middleweight ranks. Oddsmakers and fans alike debate which fighter truly deserves to wear the championship belt after the fight.
Analyzing Du Plessis’ Championship Path
Du Plessis’ rise to champion included a dominant submission of Israel Adesanya, widely considered the most successful middleweight of the last decade. He then decisively defeated Sean Strickland in a rematch earlier this year, consolidating his hold on the title.
Despite those wins, critics often find fault, dissecting his style or questioning the overall quality of his opponents. Du Plessis acknowledges the relentless cycle of doubt that comes with championship fights.
“I guess every title fight, every guy that’s coming up, every next best guy is that guy,”
he said, smiling.
“For now, that is [Chimaev] and people think I won’t beat this guy, and the next guy is gonna be the exact same thing where people will go, ‘Now this guy — this guy is something else!’”
He elaborated,
“That’s how it is, that’s how it works … what gets me excited is going out there, shocking the world and building my legacy every time.”
Khamzat Chimaev’s Growing Reputation as a Dominant Force
The challenger, Khamzat Chimaev, arrives with an unblemished 14-0 professional record, including eight wins in the UFC. His rapid rise included back-to-back wins on Fight Island in 2020 and a first-round knockout of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, cementing his status as a top contender.
Chimaev’s reputation as a relentless and powerful competitor fuels much of the excitement and pressure surrounding the fight, as many believe he is poised to take the division to a new level.
Given this backdrop, Du Plessis views Saturday’s bout as a defining moment that could either secure his legacy or elevate Chimaev definitively. Yet, the champion expects skepticism to follow regardless of the outcome.
“I think there is gonna be more like there is now,”
Du Plessis remarked regarding ongoing doubters.
“After this fight, there are still gonna be people that say, ‘This guy! This guy!’ about whoever I’m gonna fight next; that’s just how it is.”
He added that such criticism never bothered him, focusing instead on proving supporters right rather than trying to silence every critic.
“What makes a difference to me is getting there fight night and proving those that believe in me right. I don’t care about proving anybody wrong. I’m there to prove those that believe in me right, and that’s the only thing I care about.”
Growth and Progress in the Champion’s Career
Before becoming a UFC champion, Du Plessis gained experience as a two-division champion in other promotions, including EFC and KSW. His progression in the UFC has been fast but challenging, fighting ranked opponents early and advancing steadily up the ladder.
He has amassed 23 wins overall, including 20 by finish, demonstrating an ability to end fights decisively despite some describing his style as unconventional or chaotic. Over time, Du Plessis has improved significantly, learning to thrive within the Octagon’s high-pressure environment.
“Finding your feet in the Octagon is tough when you move from any other organization to the UFC,”
Du Plessis said, recalling his early UFC journey.
“By the time I fought Robert Whittaker … I was starting to find my rhythm, my home in the Octagon.”
He noted the added pressure of five-round title fights as a new challenge, having gone the distance against Sean Strickland in his first defense.
Winning the title intensified his motivation not just to maintain his championship but to serve as a role model at Team CIT in Pretoria, proving fighters from his gym could reach the sport’s highest levels.
“Even though I’ve always believed in myself … Now I know it — I’m champion of the world — and that self-belief became a fact,”
he explained. This confidence combined with work ethic has elevated his performances, as seen in his improvement from the first Strickland fight to Adesanya and beyond.
Du Plessis remains aware that he still has untapped potential, ranking himself around 6.5 to 7 out of 10 in terms of capability and aiming to reach 9 or 10 to become the most complete fighter ever.
“And I’m not close to where I know I can be when it comes to the fight,”
he said, adding,
“a fight like this might just be the one that gets me to the nine or 10 that I need to show I’m the most complete fighter to ever walk this earth.”
Focus on Khamzat Chimaev as a Formidable Opponent
Having defeated Sean Strickland in Sydney earlier this year, Du Plessis immediately focused on facing Chimaev, who solidified his status after his decisive first-round win over Whittaker. Despite uncertainty about Chimaev’s fight schedule, the champion never doubted the matchup would happen.
“After the Strickland fight, I knew I was gonna fight Khamzat next,”
Du Plessis said. He explained that he prepared for the fight date rather than solely for his opponent, emphasizing unwavering confidence in the bout’s occurrence.
Du Plessis highlighted how important the challenger was to him as an opponent, stating,
“If he couldn’t make it, it would have been a bummer … because that’s who I wanna fight.”
He praised Chimaev’s skills and aura, noting the hesitation many fighters display when facing him.
“Khamzat is absolutely a special fighter,”
Du Plessis said.
“He believes in himself and he goes out there and — he has this aura around him and people are almost scared to engage with him.”
He continued,
“He’s been able to do things to fighters and make it look easy. He has a lifetime of achievements and he’s worked his way to where he is. He’s undefeated for a reason and when you watch him fight, there is no doubt that he is a special fighter. I think his performances speak for themselves and 100 per cent deserving of the hype that he gets.”
Champion’s Mental Strength and Readiness to Endure
Facing Chimaev will test more than just physical skills for Du Plessis, who believes his mental resilience sets him apart. He feels prepared to push through the toughest moments that may arise during the fight.
“What makes me the guy to beat him is that I’m the world champion,”
the South African said confidently. He contrasted his path with Chimaev’s, viewing his own resume as superior and highlighting his unbreakable mental toughness.
“I don’t just say ‘I’m ready to die.’ I know I am. When I get in there, when it comes to ‘let’s go to that dark place and see who loves it there,’ I promise you I’m more at home, and that’s why I’m the champion of the world.”
Implications of the UFC 319 Title Fight
This fight presents a pivotal moment for both middleweight contenders and the division as a whole. A win by Du Plessis may finally quell lingering doubts about his legitimacy as champion, while a victory by Chimaev would accelerate the rise of a dominant new face in the UFC.
The high stakes and intense anticipation underscore why the matchup has drawn so much attention and why Du Plessis is motivated not only to defend his belt but to build an undeniable legacy by defeating one of the division’s most feared challengers.
As both athletes prepare to clash inside the Octagon, the outcome of UFC 319 promises to influence middleweight rankings and storylines for years to come, continuing the sport’s tradition of testing champions against the best competition available.