UFC Event 319: Dricus du Plessis believes he embodies the essence of Khamzat Chimaev's intended greatness
Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev Set for Title Rematch at UFC 319
Dricus du Plessis, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, will defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 319 in Chicago. This follows Chimaev's decisive victory over du Plessis in their initial encounter, a victory that earned Chimaev the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Du Plessis has built his title reign by defeating multiple former champions. He won against Robert Whittaker in a title eliminator and claimed the UFC Middleweight Championship by beating Sean Strickland. He successfully defended his title against Adesanya via submission and again against Strickland in a rematch.
In contrast, Chimaev entered UFC 319 undefeated, having previously defeated former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker. His unbeaten record and dominant wrestling style earned him the nickname "Borz," which translates to "wolf."
Du Plessis has long been tracking Chimaev, sensing a moment to challenge the UFC's apex predator. He believes his inelegant but effective fighting style exceeds the primary skills of his peers and compares it to something different from traditional wrestling and grappling in MMA.
However, Chimaev's rise stalled due to health, weight, and travel issues. Despite this, he is still often seen as the UFC's apex predator by himself and his supporters.
Du Plessis believes that to be the greatest, it's not just about how many guys you beat or how long you were at the top, but about who you beat while you were there. He sees himself as the "king of the middleweight jungle" in his upcoming fight against Chimaev.
Du Plessis expects to do the same with Chimaev's wrestling, believing that he can overcome it. He has demonstrated this ability in the past, having overcome Adesanya's decorated kickboxing and Strickland's awkward defense.
In the first fight, Chimaev's wrestling dominance and control were too much for du Plessis. However, du Plessis believes that Chimaev's body language may reveal signs of weakness, and he uses the analogy of wolf hunting to describe his approach to fighting Chimaev at UFC 319.
| Fighter | Performance Against Former UFC Champions | |-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dricus du Plessis | Won vs. Robert Whittaker (former champion), beat Sean Strickland (former champ), defended title vs. Israel Adesanya (former champ) and Strickland again | | Khamzat Chimaev | Previously defeated Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker (former champions), then defeated Du Plessis (champion) at UFC 319 to win title |
This rematch promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both fighters boasting strong records against former UFC champions. The outcome of this fight could shape the future of the UFC's middleweight division.
The upcoming title rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 will undoubtedly be a highly publicized game in the sports news, with both fighters having impressive records against former UFC champions. Dricus du Plessis, the current Middleweight Champion, has defeated multiple former champions, including Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, while Khamzat Chimaev holds victories over Usman and Whittaker.
The smart bet for this MMA bout could be a challenging one, given Dricus du Plessis' determination to reclaim his title, having lost to Chimaev in their initial encounter. Du Plessis' belief in his ability to overcome Chimaev's wrestling, demonstrated in his past victories against Adesanya and Strickland, adds an interesting twist to the betting game.
Chimaev's dominance in their first fight, marked by his wrestling prowess, makes him the clear favorite. However, Du Plessis' preparedness, fueled by his assessment of Chimaev's potential weaknesses, and his comparisons of their fighting styles to that of a wolf-hunt, indicates a close and gripping competition.
Winning this rematch could significantly bolster the careers of both fighters and their respective future betting odds. Who will come out on top in this highly anticipated mixed-martial-arts bout remains to be seen.
