Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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‘Khamzat Chimaev Is Going To Take Me Down, but He Has To Keep Me There’ – Dricus Du Plessis Talks About His Plans For UFC 319

Learn All About What Dricus Du Plessis Has Said About His Opponent Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319

Dricus Du Plessis is preparing himself for his upcoming bout at UFC 319. His next opponent happens to be Khamzat Chimaev on August 16, 2025. Both these fighters are presently undefeated in their UFC careers so far.

Dricus Du Plessis is enjoying his reign as the Middleweight title holder in the UFC. However, his next opponent is equally formidable. Dricus Du Plessis recently discussed his plans for his upcoming bout against Khamzat Chimaev. So, what did the South African have to say about his upcoming opponent?

Dricus Du Plessis Plans To Drown Khamzat Chimaev in the Later Rounds

Dricus Du Plessis recently appeared on Shak MMA. He was questioned about his opinions regarding his upcoming opponent at UFC 319. The UFC Middleweight Champion replied –

“Khamzat Chimaev is going to take me down, but he has to keep me there. We’ve seen him dominate in the first round. Let’s see how he feels in Round Two, then it’s my fight.”

Du Plessis has implied that Chimaev won’t be able to keep him down for very long. He expects the fight to go more than one round so that he can start his own offensive against Khamzat Chimaev. He believes that he can overcome Khamzat Chimaev in the latter stages of the fight. Verdict MMA App has placed Du Plessis’ comments as their official Instagram post.

When Did Dricus Du Plessis Win the Middleweight Title in the UFC?

Dricus Du Plessis has been reigning as the UFC Middleweight Champion for more than a year as of May 2025. He first won the title when he defeated Sean Strickland, the former champion at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024. Du Plessis has since then held on to the title with successful defenses against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August 304. Moreover, Du Plessis also has a rematch fight against Sean Strickland in his last fight at UFC 312 in February 2025. He again defeated the former champion. Dricus Du Plessis is notable for becoming the first South African UFC Champion.

The UFC fans will just have to wait and see if Dricus Du Plessis can make another successful title defense at UFC 319 or not. Or, is Khamzat Chimaev is going to crown himself as the new Middleweight Champion.

Dricus Du Plessis

Khamzat Chimaev

MMA

UFC

UFC 319

Arka Mukherjee

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mma

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I’m a sports content writer focusing on MMA, WWE and MLB writer at The Playoffs. I have a Master’s degree in Media Science (M.Sc) from my college The Heritage Academy. I got into the sports industry through my previous company where I worked from 2023 to March 2025. I’m a fan of combat sports like pro wrestling and MMA. My favorite part about working at The Playoffs is speculating what can be happening in WWE, especially face-heel turns and results of matches.