The man who experienced the swift end of Khamzat Chimaev’s quickest fight is anticipating the announcement of ‘and still’ during the UFC 319 main event. Chimaev, known for his explosive fighting style, is currently in the final stages of training as he prepares for his first championship opportunity in the Octagon. Set to challenge for the UFC middleweight title on August 16, Chimaev will face Dricus du Plessis in a highly anticipated showdown.
Headlining the event at the United Center, Chimaev is determined to achieve a milestone that both Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya have failed to reach since Du Plessis emerged with an undefeated record in the UFC. Like Du Plessis, Chimaev is also undefeated in the promotion, and many analysts are predicting his dominance will continue as he aims for the title.
However, Gerald Meerschaert, who previously fought Chimaev, holds a different perspective. In an interview with Fight Bananas, Meerschaert expressed his thoughts on the upcoming match, predicting that Du Plessis will retain his title. “My prediction, I honestly think it’s gonna be Dricus,” he stated, offering insight into the fight dynamics.
Meerschaert has an impressive history in the UFC, known for holding the record for the most finishes in UFC middleweight history. His notable encounter with Chimaev ended in just 17 seconds, as ‘Borz’ delivered a knockout punch that left little room for Meerschaert to showcase his grappling skills. Despite this, Meerschaert believes Du Plessis’ physicality and fighting style will pose significant challenges for Chimaev.
“I think he’s gonna be too big and too physical for Khamzat to catch in those first couple of rounds,” Meerschaert continued, weighing in on the potential strategies both fighters might employ. While he acknowledged the possibility of Chimaev winning, he assigned a percentage of 60 to 70 in favor of Du Plessis, emphasizing the South African's unique movement and fighting style.
As fight week approaches, Meerschaert will have a front-row seat to the main event, as he is also scheduled to compete in the UFC 319 undercard. He will take on Michal Oleksiejczuk, setting the stage for the title bout between Chimaev and Du Plessis later in the evening. This fight is particularly crucial for Meerschaert, who is currently on a two-fight losing streak after recent defeats to Reinier de Ridder and Brad Tavares.
Having never lost three consecutive fights in his extensive 56-fight professional career, this matchup could be pivotal for Meerschaert’s continued presence in the UFC. With the excitement around UFC 319 building, fans are eagerly anticipating both the main event and the undercard action.
As Khamzat Chimaev prepares for his title challenge against Dricus du Plessis, the stakes have never been higher. With a mix of predictions from former opponents and the thrilling atmosphere expected at the United Center, UFC 319 promises to be a landmark event in the world of mixed martial arts. Fans around the globe are looking forward to witnessing whether Chimaev’s undefeated streak will continue or if Du Plessis will retain his championship status.
