The atmosphere after UFC 319 was heavy with debate, and much of it centered on Dricus du Plessis. His middleweight title defense against Khamzat Chimaev ended in defeat, and criticism followed swiftly. Former champion Daniel Cormier, who sat cageside with Joe Rogan and Jon Anik, did not hold back in sharing why he thought the South African star came up short. His words carried weight, not only about the fight but also about the future challengers.
Key Highlights
Daniel Cormier criticized Dricus du Plessis’ preparation for UFC 319
Chimaev dominated with relentless grappling and pressure
Du Plessis failed to counter takedowns or create space
Cormier urged fighters to improve wrestling to stand a chance
Dana White hinted at Chimaev possibly fighting in Abu Dhabi
Daniel Cormier’s Harsh Assessment
Cormier made it clear that while Chimaev looked dominant, du Plessis’ inability to adapt was glaring.
“It was very impressive by Chimaev. If I’m being honest though, it was a little disappointing on the side of du Plessis because he knew the challenge. I don’t know if they prepared the right way for what [the] challenge was in front of them.” – Daniel Cormier
Throughout the fight, du Plessis struggled against Chimaev’s takedowns and constant control. He spent much of the 25 minutes on defense, rarely finding ways to reset or generate offense. Cormier observed that Chimaev’s ground pressure neutralized every attempt made by the former champion.
“You know when you’re fighting Chimaev, you’ve got to be able to get up if taken down, and you’ve got to make the takedowns hard. He wasn’t able to do either of those things tonight and now he’s the former champ.” – Daniel Cormier
The Blueprint Laid by Chimaev
For Cormier, Chimaev’s victory was not just a moment of dominance but a signal for the rest of the division. He outlined the lesson every fighter should take away from this performance.
“All these guys should be running to the wrestling room right now. Getting with a coach that can prepare them for the wrestling exchanges because the controls that Chimaev uses, the wrist fighting, the hand fighting, the forward pressure, these are all things that you learn in the wrestling room as a kid and then you apply them to fighting.” – Daniel Cormier
Chimaev’s approach was rooted in technique honed long before entering the UFC. His wrestling pressure, mixed with his relentless forward drive, left du Plessis with almost no options. According to Cormier, future challengers will need more than striking to survive against Chimaev.
What’s Next for Chimaev
Following the fight, UFC CEO Dana White was asked about Chimaev’s future. With UFC’s schedule moving toward another major card in Abu Dhabi, White left the door open for Chimaev’s next appearance.
“I just had a kid fight Tuesday and wanted to turn around and fight here. Abu Dhabi? I would definitely consider.” – Dana White
Chimaev has never shied away from quick turnarounds, and his conditioning makes him one of the most unpredictable threats in the UFC. If White does set him up for a title defense in Abu Dhabi, it could cement Chimaev as a central figure in the middleweight division for years to come.
News in Brief: Daniel Cormier On Du Plessis Performance
UFC 319 saw Khamzat Chimaev dethrone Dricus du Plessis in a dominant middleweight title fight, with relentless wrestling dictating the pace. Daniel Cormier criticized du Plessis’ lack of preparation, stressing that fighters must sharpen their wrestling to contend with Chimaev’s pressure-heavy style. UFC CEO Dana White hinted that Chimaev could return in Abu Dhabi if timing allows, highlighting the potential for another quick turnaround. Fans and fighters alike now await who will step up against the new champion.
ALSO READ: Ex-UFC Champ Daniel Cormier Slams Dricus du Plessis’ ‘Disappointing’ Loss to Khamzat Chimaev