Israel Adesanya Foresees Brutal Ending for Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis: “Chaotic Good vs. Chaotic Evil”

The intensity will be off the charts when Khamzat Chimaev faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 for the 185-pound crown.

Israel Adesanya Foresees Brutal Ending for Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis: “Chaotic Good vs. Chaotic Evil”

Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya (via Imagn)

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UFC 318 is now in the rearview mirror, with Dustin Poirier securing his legacy among the all-time greats. But the action doesn’t stop there as the spotlight now turns to UFC 319. Headlining the card on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his title against undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev.

The South African star aims to add another titan to his list of victims while Chimaev steps into his first UFC title fight. With the fight drawing near, predictions are already flying in, and one name is leading the conversation: Israel Adesanya.

The former 2-time 185-pound title holder weighed in on the anticipated bout as he watched UFC 318 from his couch. ‘Izzy’ reacted to the fight trailer of Du Plessis and Chimaev and gave a unique perspective on the fight on his YouTube channel.

Not bad, but I still think Dricus gets it. I think he just (gets a) late finish. Yeah, late finish. Khamzat will, I think Khamzat. If he wins, it is the first two rounds or the first round. But Dricus is just chaotic. Chaotic good vs chaotic evil. That’s literally what this fight might be. Chaotic good vs. chaotic evil.

Israel Adesanya via his YouTube channel

Izzy’s take on the UFC 319 main event couldn’t be more spot-on. Both Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev are explosive, high-paced fighters, but it’s Chimaev’s ruthless wrestling and relentless pressure that truly set him apart.

Fans have seen time and again how he steamrolls opponents in the early rounds. Plus, his fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 was a brutal reminder that saw ‘Borz’ breaking the Aussie’s jaw in the very first round. 

That’s the kind of early dominance Chimaev brings to the cage. But here’s where things get interesting. As dominant as Chimaev is in the opening rounds, his cardio has been a lingering question mark. Against both Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, the world saw him start strong but fade as the fight wore on. 

Sure, he won both those three-rounders, but not without looking visibly gassed. That’s why many believe his best shot at victory lies in the first ten minutes, before the tide starts to turn. Now, enter Du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ is one of the most unpredictable fighters in the sport, often underestimated because of his awkward movement and unconventional style.

Some fans even joke about him having “plot armor,” but behind that goofy exterior is a wildcard. Du Plessis is built like a boulder, has a deep gas tank, and thrives in wild, chaotic exchanges. That very chaos gives him the edge in wrestling scrambles and helps him drag fights into deep waters, where Chimaev might just sink.

Need proof? Just look at his resume. He shocked the world by submitting Adesanya at UFC 305, outlasted Sean Strickland in twin wars at UFC 297 and UFC 312, and knocked out Whittaker at UFC 290.

If Chimaev can’t finish things early, DDP has all the tools and the toughness to flip the script and keep his belt. This is something former kingpin Luke Rockhold also had to say about the fight. However, another veteran outside the UFC had something to say in favor of the South African.

Johnny Elben weighs in on Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev UFC 319 title fight

Dricus Du Plessis has built a reputation for silencing doubters and rising to the occasion. As UFC 319 approaches, ‘Stillknocks’ will look to secure his third title defense, this time against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. While many still view Chimaev as a dominant force, not everyone is sold on the hype.

Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279
Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 (via Imagn)

PFL standout and former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen recently weighed in on the highly anticipated showdown, offering a bold prediction for next month’s main event. According to Eblen, the Chechen phenom isn’t the unstoppable monster people make him out to be.

He’s not (the boogeyman), though. He’s just a guy. He’s just a human. Gilbert (Burns) made him look human, (Kamaru) Usman made him look human, and I think DDP is going to make him look human. Plus, DDP is like a big, physical guy. I don’t think Khamzat is just going to manhandle him.

Johnny Elben via MMA Junkie

Eblen didn’t mince words at all. He believes Chimaev won’t be able to dominate Du Plessis, physically or otherwise. In fact, he gave the edge to the South African in terms of experience. 

I like DDP’s chances just because the guys he’s fought and the rounds he’s put in. Chimaev hasn’t. Not to say it’s going to be easy, Chimaev is very, very tough, but I think DDP has more. He’s just more of a veteran when it comes to five-round fights, and tough fights, and he’s fought middleweight this whole time. Chimaev is just kind of coming up.

Johnny Elben via MMA Junkie

With that, Eblen painted a clear picture: Du Plessis has been battle-tested at middleweight and knows how to survive in five-round wars. Chimaev, meanwhile, still has questions to answer in unfamiliar championship territory.

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