The UFC middleweight division has seen some of the most dominant fighters in the sport’s history. Names like Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker have all left their mark. Now, a new chapter is about to unfold as Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning champion, prepares to defend his title against the undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev.
This fight is already generating massive buzz, and for good reason. Both fighters have unique styles, incredible records, and a burning desire to establish themselves as the undisputed king of the middleweight division. With UFC President Dana White hinting that this bout is in the works, the MMA world is eagerly awaiting an official announcement.
So, what makes this fight so compelling? Let’s break it down.
The Fighters: A Tale of Two Warriors
Dricus Du Plessis – The Relentless Champion
Record: 23-2
Nationality: South African
Fighting Style: Kickboxing, Wrestling
Notable Wins: Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland
Dricus Du Plessis (DDP) has taken the UFC by storm with his relentless pressure, power, and unbreakable will. When he first entered the UFC, many doubted whether his unique, somewhat unorthodox striking style could hold up against elite competition. However, fight after fight, he has proven his doubters wrong.
His biggest moment came when he knocked out Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, earning a shot at Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title. While that fight fell through due to injuries, Du Plessis instead faced Sean Strickland at UFC 312, winning the belt via unanimous decision.
His key strengths lie in:
Cardio and toughness: He can take punishment and keep moving forward.
Knockout power: Du Plessis has finished 19 of his 23 wins via KO or submission.
Unorthodox striking: His wild, looping punches often catch opponents off guard.
Despite his successes, Du Plessis has his fair share of critics, some of whom believe that his wide stance and aggressive approach could be exploited by a more technical fighter like Chimaev. However, the South African is confident in his abilities and has dismissed Chimaev’s reputation as a “boogeyman” in the division.
Khamzat Chimaev – The Undefeated Wrecking Machine
Record: 14-0
Nationality: Chechen-Swedish
Fighting Style: Wrestling, Grappling, Explosive Striking
Notable Wins: Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman, Robert Whittaker
Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev has built a reputation as one of the most dominant and feared fighters in MMA today. Bursting onto the UFC scene in 2020, he quickly made waves with three dominant wins in just 66 days.
Chimaev’s style is defined by:
Elite wrestling: He can take down almost anyone at will.
Explosive striking: His knockout power is underrated.
Relentless pressure: Once he gets hold of an opponent, he rarely lets go.
Chimaev’s biggest test came against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, where he went the distance for the first time in his career. Though he won, the fight exposed potential weaknesses in his ability to absorb damage and maintain a high pace in later rounds.
However, unlike many of his past opponents, Du Plessis is a natural middleweight with the size, power, and endurance to challenge Chimaev’s dominance.
The Key Matchup: Strengths and Weaknesses
Striking Battle: Unorthodox Power vs. Explosive Precision
On the feet, Du Plessis has the edge in terms of raw power and unpredictability. His strikes are wild, but they land with devastating force. Meanwhile, Chimaev has more refined and explosive striking, with a tighter, more technical approach.
The big question here is: Can Chimaev avoid Du Plessis’ knockout shots?
While Chimaev has shown good striking defense, he has also been tagged in previous fights, particularly against Burns. If Du Plessis can land a clean shot, he could turn the fight in his favor quickly.
Wrestling and Grappling: Can Du Plessis Keep It Standing?
Chimaev’s biggest weapon is his elite wrestling. He has manhandled fighters like Kevin Holland and Li Jingliang with ease. His ability to take down and control opponents has been a nightmare for anyone he has faced.
Du Plessis, however, is no slouch in the grappling department. He has a solid takedown defense and a background in wrestling. The challenge will be whether he can stop Chimaev’s relentless takedown attempts.
If the fight goes to the ground, Chimaev has the clear advantage. But if Du Plessis can keep the fight standing, he could wear Chimaev down over time.
Cardio and Durability: Who Can Go the Distance?
One of the biggest questions heading into this fight is who has better cardio.
Du Plessis has proven he can go five rounds against top-tier opponents. His fight against Sean Strickland showcased his ability to push the pace and maintain power deep into the later rounds.
Chimaev, on the other hand, has shown some cardio concerns. His fight against Gilbert Burns saw him fade in the later rounds, and he looked slightly tired in the third round against Kamaru Usman.
If the fight extends past the third round, Du Plessis could have the advantage.
The Mental Warfare: Du Plessis Dismisses the “Boogeyman” Hype
In the lead-up to this fight, Du Plessis has made it clear that he is not intimidated by Chimaev. He has referred to the Chechen fighter as a “fake boogeyman”, stating that Chimaev’s aggressive personality and weight-cutting struggles don’t impress him.
Chimaev, for his part, has remained his usual confident self, vowing to “smash” Du Plessis just like he has done to every opponent before.
This mental battle could play a key role in the fight. If Du Plessis can get under Chimaev’s skin, he may force him into making mistakes inside the octagon.
Prediction: Who Wins?
This fight is one of the most evenly matched title fights in recent memory. Both men have clear paths to victory:
Chimaev wins if he can dominate with his wrestling early and finish Du Plessis via submission or ground-and-pound.
Du Plessis wins if he can stuff the takedowns, keep the fight standing, and drag Chimaev into the later rounds.
If the fight ends early, Chimaev is the favorite. If it goes into the championship rounds, Du Plessis has a better chance of winning.
Official Prediction: Du Plessis durability, power, and late-fight endurance could be the key to breaking Chimaev.
Conclusion: A Fight for the Ages
Regardless of the outcome, this fight is bound to be one of the most exciting middleweight matchups in recent history.
With undefeated records, high stakes, and clashing styles, Du Plessis vs. Chimaev has all the ingredients of a classic. Whether it’s Chimaev’s relentless pressure or Du Plessis’ raw power, fans are in for a thrilling showdown.
Now, all that’s left is for the UFC to make it official. Let the battle for middleweight supremacy begin!
