Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Robert Whittaker (red gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Dricus Du Plessis Warns Khamzat Chimaev: This Fight Will Be Won With More Than Just Wrestling!

Dricus Du Plessis acknowledges Khamzat Chimaev’s skills but promises to showcase the full spectrum of MMA in their title clash!

The octagon has seen its fair share of epic showdowns, but few matchups generate the kind of buzz that comes with a wrestling phenom meeting a well-rounded champion. Dricus Du Plessis’ rise to the top hasn’t been without its share of doubters and believers. The South African fighter has consistently proven that his unorthodox style and relentless pressure can break down even the most technical opponents. His championship reign has been built on adaptability and an almost scary ability to find a way to win when things get messy.

Enter Khamzat Chimaev, the wrestling machine who has been steamrolling through opponents with a style that’s both brutal and beautiful. The Chechen-Swedish fighter has made a career out of taking people down and ending fights there. His wrestling credentials are undeniable. But Du Plessis isn’t just any fighter, and he’s making it crystal clear that this bout at UFC 319 won’t be decided by wrestling alone.

Dricus Du Plessis Embraces The Challenge

Du Plessis recently opened up about facing Chimaev while on Fox 32 Chicago. His words carry the weight of a fighter who’s been through wars and come out the other side. He feels that Chimaev is arguably the best fighter he has fought in his career. But he also reminded him that it was an MMA fight and not a wrestling match.

“We are not fighting for the wrestling title, we are fighting for the UFC title and that’s where i am the best. I am not the best wrestler or striker, but when you put all those things together, that is where i am the best in the world…100% I believe this is the best opponent I’ve faced to date, but so was the previous one. Every time you step in there, you’re going to face the next most dangerous guy, especially as the champion.”

What’s interesting about Du Plessis is how he frames each challenge. He didn’t diminish his previous opponents to build up his current one. Instead, he acknowledged that being champion means constantly facing the best of the best. Every fighter coming for the belt is hungry, dangerous, and convinced they have what it takes to dethrone the king.

The champion knows that Chimaev will bring his A-game wrestling, but he’s betting that the fight won’t stay on the ground long enough for it to matter. Du Plessis has shown time and again that he can make fights ugly when he needs to, and his cardio has been a weapon in later rounds. This isn’t going to be a wrestling match, it’s going to be a fight, and Du Plessis plans to make sure Chimaev knows the difference.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Dricus Du Plessis

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC 319

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!