Dricus du Plessis recently stirred up conversation in the MMA community after his first encounter with Khamzat Chimaev during fight week. This meeting was highlighted by the UFC as the promotion gears up for its latest pay-per-view event at Chicago's United Center, marking a return to high-stakes competition after a couple of low-profile Apex cards. The event is particularly thrilling as it features the first divisional championship fight since Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this June.
In this upcoming showdown, Dricus du Plessis will be defending his middleweight title for the third time. He has successfully navigated challenges from top contenders such as Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. Now, Du Plessis faces the formidable Khamzat Chimaev, an undefeated fighter who is widely regarded as a future champion in the world of mixed martial arts. As he prepares to defend his title and maintain his perfect record in the UFC, the stakes couldn't be higher for both contenders.
The first fight week interaction between Du Plessis and Chimaev caught many fans' attention, particularly regarding the apparent size difference between the fighters. The UFC shared footage online, which many interpreted as Chimaev having a significant size advantage over Du Plessis. This perception has fueled speculation regarding Chimaev's chances of dethroning the South African champion in the Windy City on August 16.
However, Dricus du Plessis has responded to these claims, urging fans not to read too much into the video. “I mean, maybe it was the angle,” Du Plessis remarked in an interview with Helen Yee. He emphasized that he had stood directly in front of Chimaev and claimed, “He is definitely not taller than me. Maybe a little; maybe like, half an inch.” His confidence extends beyond mere height, as he added, “I don’t give a s— how big he is. That’s not what wins fights.”
Dricus du Plessis' self-assurance is not a recent development; it has been evident for months leading up to UFC 319. Following the announcement of his fight against Chimaev, Du Plessis made a bold promise on Instagram. He stated, “I don’t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong. When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.”
This declaration encapsulates Du Plessis' mentality heading into the fight, reinforcing his belief that he will hand Chimaev his first professional defeat. His final words in that Instagram post, “As we say in 🇿🇦 built different!! stillknocks preparetobeamazed,” hint at the confidence and determination he brings to this championship bout.
As the fight date approaches, anticipation builds for this pivotal matchup between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. With the middleweight title on the line and both fighters bringing their unique strengths to the octagon, fans are in for an exhilarating experience. Will Du Plessis maintain his reign, or will Chimaev rise to the occasion and claim the championship? Only time will tell.
