SA's Dricus du Plessis seeks to outsmart Russia's Khamzat Chimaev in next UFC title bout
South African UFC champion Dricus du Plessis' next title fight, scheduled for 17 August at UFC 319, will test his entire repertoire of skills.
Dricus du Plessis is preparing for his third Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title defence against undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 after federation president Dana White made the announcement last week.
It's a matchup that has been hotly anticipated since Du Plessis dismantled former champion Sean Strickland by unanimous decision at UFC 312 in February this year.
Du Plessis has been on a hot streak since entering the US fighting organisation in 2020, going undefeated in the nine times he has stepped into the octagon. He has only two losses in the 25 times he has fought under the banner of any mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation.
But Chechen wrestler-cum-MMA fighter Chimaev has an equally impressive resumé, having claimed eight out of eight wins in the UFC. One of the two will break their duck on 17 August at the United Centre in Chicago.
Most of Chimaev's fights came in the UFC welterweight division, having recently moved up to middleweight. He has had only two fights in the heavier division – against Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker – before getting the title shot.
Middleweight seems a more natural division for Chimaev, who was scheduled to fight Nate Diaz in the main event at UFC 279 in September 2022, but came into the weigh-in more than three kilograms overweight. Instead, he was placed in a bout with Kevin Holland at short notice at catchweight, who he submitted in the first round.
Wrestling credentials
Despite often going into fights as the underdog, Du Plessis and coach Morne Visser have a happy knack of out-strategising opponents in the octagon, in spite of his reputation as an unorthodox brawler.
The brains trust will need to be at its intelligent best if they are to overcome Chimaev, who has 12 finishes and 14 wins in the 14 MMA fights he has been in thus far. Six of those finishes have come by submissions, and the other six by knockouts.
Chimaev is a strong wrestler with his background on the mat. His stats in the UFC underline that, with an average of 2.77 submission attempts per fight compared with Du Plessis, who averages 0.73.
Du Plessis has proven more than capable of wrestling if need be, but Chimaev is a different challenge. This was exemplified when he broke Whittaker's jaw at UFC 308 after only three minutes and 34 seconds in the first round.
Russian champions
Chimaev grew up in Chechnya, which with Dagestan has become notorious for its formidable MMA fighters, particularly in the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, from Dagestan, is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all after putting a stop to a then prime Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in 2018. Nurmagomedov retired from the sport in 2021 after 29 wins from 29 fights. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame the following year.
Currently, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a fellow Dagestani, is the top-ranked men's pound-for-pound fighter, according to the UFC's rankings.
Michael Lyubimov, a prominent MMA coach who has worked with many fighters from the Caucasus, including Nurmagomedov, said that when he first encounters athletes from the region upon their arrival in fight promotion organisations in the US, they are often already vastly experienced.
Lyubimov – who is general manager of the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in New Mexico, renowned for its production of MMA talent, says that many young fighters from the region take up fighting prompted by 'despair from a young age'.
'Back where they come from, there's absolutely nothing,' Lyubimov said in an interview with CNN. 'A lot of these guys that come here, I mean, they fought since they're like six years of age.'
'By the time they get to the UFC or obtain these big promotions or come to America, they have over 200 fights and stuff.
'There's no other option. There are cauliflower ears everywhere. It's just who they are. It's in the culture, engraved in them.'
Chimaev will seek to add his name to the ever-growing list of successful UFC title holders from the region. In his path is South Africa's first UFC champion, who has said he is willing to die in the octagon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Juventus primed for Club World Cup challenge against Lorch and Mailula's Wydad
Juventus manager Igor Tudor played down suggestions that his team are showing signs of end-of-season fatigue, insisting his players are motivated and ready to compete as they prepare to face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The match kicks off at 6pm, South African time. Juventus opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over UAE's Al Ain, and a win against Wydad, who boast two South Africans Thembinkosi Lorch and Casius Mailula in their set-up, would secure their progression to the next stage. Such a result would set up a highly anticipated Group G showdown with Manchester City on Thursday, likely to determine the group winners. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tudor said he sees no signs of lethargy in his squad. 'I don't see any signs of fatigue in the team; on the contrary, I see a lot of enthusiasm,' he said. 'It's a pleasure to see them enjoying playing together. They started the last match like it was a final. There's more confidence in them now, not just a little but a lot more. They're enjoying what we're building together, and that's a fantastic thing.' Lorch was unhappy at Sundowns: Cardoso as star is loaned to Wydad 'Lorch is not a young player. In the past year he has not played much so it was important to let him go' Sport 4 months ago Tudor, who took over in March after the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club. Juventus were floundering outside the Serie A top four and had been eliminated from all cup competitions when Tudor arrived. However, under his guidance, the team suffered just one further league defeat, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification. Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Tudor expressed pride in his players' professionalism and commitment. 'I have great professionals who've been available from the first day to the last,' he said. 'There's been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we've also developed a better understanding of the game and what I ask of them as a coach.' Despite the strong start in the Club World Cup, Tudor urged his squad to remain focused. 'Juventus should be ambitious, but we must stay humble and work hard with our heads down,' he said. 'I always tell the players to focus on training and take each match as it comes. Maybe I bore them by saying it, but that's the mindset we need.' Juventus' clash with Wydad Casablanca will be a key test of their progress under Tudor, with the Italian side looking to maintain momentum ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
These FOUR teams have been eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup
After just two matches at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, FOUR of the 32 teams competing have already been eliminated. However, thanks to the prize money on offer, they do all have the chance of adding to their appearance fees in their final group stage matches. As a reminder, every group stage win is worth $2 million, while a draw will see both sides pick up $1 million. Losers leave empty-handed. In Group C, Auckland City from New Zealand will be preparing to pack their bags after losing 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica in their opening two matches. They will be looking for better fortune – and perhaps a goal – in their final clash against Boca Juniors on Tuesday. Auckland City received $3.58 million in participation fees. In Group D, Los Angeles FC have been eliminated after going down 2-0 to Chelsea and 1-0 against Esperance de Tunis. They too will be hoping to end their campaign on a winning note against Flamengo on Tuesday. Los Angeles FC earned $9.55 million for taking part. In Group E, Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds will head home after the group stage is complete having lost 3-1 to River Plate and 2-1 to Inter Milan. Urawa Red Diamonds will end their tournament against Monterrey on Wednesday. The Japanese side also earned $9.55 million in appearance fees. Finally, in Group F, South Korea's Ulsan HD will also see their tournament come to a premature end having lost 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns and 4-2 against Fluminense. Ulsan HD face a daunting final clash against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, but did earn $9.55 million for showing up. Meanwhile, from a South African point of view, Mamelodi Sundowns still will have a chance of progressing to the Round of 16 despite having lost 4-3 against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Masandawana may well, however, will likely have to upset Brazilian side Fluminense in their final Group F clash on Wednesday, 25 June at 21:00 (SA time) in order to stay in the tournament. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Know the laws of the game: former PSL referee
SEDIBENG.- Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwane encourages coaches and players to know and understand the laws of the game. Hlungwane was addressing the coaches who attended the FAR Post Media workshop held in Sharpeville on Saturday. Hlungwane said it is important for coaches and players to know the laws of the game, including their interpretation. Hlungwane, who is now an analyst for SABC's Soccer Zone, said during his days as a match official, he encountered many incidents where the coaches and players didn't understand the laws of the game. He took the coaches through some of the incidents that took place in local and international football. 'It is very important as coaches to understand the laws of the game, and you must teach your players about them. This is the biggest problem in South African football, with coaches and players always unfairly criticising the match official for the decisions they make during the match.' 'As a former referee, I can tell you for free that this is a big challenge for the referee. Coaches and players always think match officials are wrong because they don't understand the laws of the game. Hence, it is important for everyone involved with football to make sure they know and understand it. When I say everyone, I mean the soccer fans and the club owners as well. This can help our football grow, and I'm here to offer my assistance to clubs that need my service to educate their coaches and players about the laws of the game,' said Hlungwane. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
