‘Genius’ Pick for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 Showdown Given by Ex-Middleweight Champ

Ex-UFC middleweight tags Dricus Du Plessis to beat Khamzat Chimaev due to uniqueness in fighting ability, to disrupt fighters' comfort zones.

‘Genius’ Pick for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 Showdown Given by Ex-Middleweight Champ

Dricus Du Plessis poised to beat Khamzat Chimaev based on experience and ability to break through (Source: X)

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Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 is a full-on war between UFC middleweight berserkers for the status as a UFC champion. In just a weekend, come August 16’s PPV headliner at the United Center in Chicago, the duo finally get their hands on each other.

Fans and pundits are equally split, choosing between the two. Fans always indicate that Dricus Du Plessis fights like a “drunk white guy dances,” but he is weirdly well-rounded. The South Africa standout has a sneaky, tact, head-first, defenseless striking, but has good shot differential and connects.

Formerly a WAKO Junior World Kickboxing Champion, his wild striking creates a power flow that hits hard and true. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev and his relentless, world-class wrestling pressure are something everyone is aware of. Like many others, ex-UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman bills that Chimaev’s only shot was in the early rounds. However, overall, he thinks the champ can have this one in the bag.

Wow, okay…I’m going Dricus…I’m going to go Dricus later [in the fight] because I’m a genius. Listen, [hey] we just talked about the cardio of Chimaev being the issue. DDP, he’s shown that he’s fixed it…[then] You also broke down that argument by saying it’s about your style and basically it comes down to how comfortable you are in there. [Dricus is]…Chimaev doesn’t have that [flow to break comfort]. I think it goes into the championship rounds [and DDP].

Chris Weidman during the UFC Vegas 109 post-fight show (@ESPNMMA on YT)

UFC analysts Din Thomas and Alan Jouban pointed to the pressure ‘Borz’ is famous for. The Chechen blew through a former champ in just a round with an easy crank during his UFC 308 PPV appearance at Etihad Arena. It even cemented his #1 contender status. There’s always doubt he’d flicker in later rounds, but he proved he needed only one.

But there have also been doubts about Du Plessis and his cardio, and he has proved the naysayers wrong. To Weidman’s point, Chimaev’s two three-round distance tales against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman saw him gassed. Yet another thing the former fighter pointed to is how, just this weekend, Roman Dolidze was in his best form and on a 3-0 win streak, riding into UFC Vegas 109.

However, Anthony Hernandez pulled him out of his comfort zone for a clear one-sided domination. Weidman bills Du Plessis has that knack to pull someone out of their comfort zone. But with a lack of 5-round experience, Chimaev wouldn’t, just beyond a few rounds.

Anthony Hernandez pitches alternate gimmick with calls to face another surging contender before UFC 319’s winner

The top bill of UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez ended in a one-of-one Round-4 dragging rear-naked submission win. No. 10-ranked Hernandez’s highlight over #9 middleweight has the attention of the world, with many media outlets calling it one of the most ‘gangster’ SOTY contenders!

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis winner targeted by top middleweights
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis winner targeted by top middleweights (Source: X)

The middleweight contender piqued interest and already called to face the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev after next weekend. With No.1-ranked fighter Nassourdine Imavov pulling out of backup roles in favor of UFC Paris, ‘Fluffy’ might just inherit the shot at gold.

With the win, Hernandez has extended his winning streak to 8. Post-fight, the grappling specialist said he’d try to be ringside at Wind City for UFC 319. However, there’s another gimmick option he mentioned during Fight Week to MMAFighting on SBN, that can propel his agenda – a secondary BMF belt contested at 185 pounds only along with a challenge against Reinier de Ridder:

When I say ‘I don’t give a f**k who I fight’ — I’m serious, I’m serious about that…Think it’d be cool if there was a contender BMF belt or something like that, but I want [THAT] title. So [de Ridder] and anyone. So the only reason I do this sh*t— to get that money and change my family’s life.

Anthony Hernandez during UFC Vegas 109 post-fight backstage fighter interviews

The UFC Paris headliner between Imavov and Caio Borralho could be a clear title eliminator given the Frenchman’s ranking. Moreover, Sean Strickland isn’t cleared to fight and Israel Adesanya has pulled away from top contention.

Meanwhile, after UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, ‘RDR’ is 4-0 in the Octagon. So, both him and ‘Fluffy’ might just have a case to make and face whoever comes out the victor of the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev PPV title showdown. Another win or a gimmick title win before that only improves the chances.

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