Ahead of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev Told to Be in Pool of Trouble Against Champ Unless He Does This ONE Thing

Khamzat Chimaev told to get used to his pace for the long haul, before challenging Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 PPV headliner.

Ahead of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev Told to Be in Pool of Trouble Against Champ Unless He Does This ONE Thing

Khamzat Chimaev told to practice fighting more at the deep end (Source: X)

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After Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant 155-pound gold, an undisputed divisional gold won’t be up for stakes until August. UFC 185-pound kingpin Drcius Du Plessis makes his long-awaited title defense against Khamzat Chimaev.

The UFC 319: “Du Plessis vs. Chimaev” PPV lineup is now confirmed for August 16, United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Chechen “Borz” has also put an end to travel ban rumors and entered the stateside to hold an initial camp for August.

Borz, with a 185-pound top seed promise a few times now, is looking forward to being crowned as an undefeated fighter. However, it hinges on quite a challenge, and one ex-UFC star thinks he needs to overcorrect a certain way.

He needs to work on topping red line stuff. He goes for the kill, and you can only do that for so long, …[But, instead] You have to train that section; Everyone’s heart rate, you get into the red zone, you start producing lactic acid, and you get tired. The only way to make that better is to be in that red zone for as long as possible…would put a lot more money on Chimaev if he trains the right way for his cardio. If he doesn’t train his cardio the right way, it’s gonna be harder to put DDP away.

TJ Dillashaw said on ‘JAXXON’ Podcast

Many are backing the PPV title challenger to leave Chicago with gold in hand; the explosive Khamzat Chimaev even ballooned up favorably, per opening odds. But former bantamweight TJ Dillashaw bills that Chimaev needs to settle into his skin, with his overt explosiveness.

Coach Mukhammad Eskirkhanov and training partner Alexander Gustafsson often claim that the fighter goes all-out with his explosiveness and drains autoimmunity and lactic capacity in the process. During a Papa Kuranchie Exclusive Interview, Gustafsson revealed this has always been the case, ever since his 2021 COVID-19 scare.

Hence, many bill Chimaev as an early opening-round fighter, not suited for bigger championship rounds. With him proving he only needs the opening rounds to get it done, many rally behind him. But, Ex-UFC bantamweight Dillashaw thinks training partners need to push him for longer stretches and help him settle in with his own explosive pace.

Otherwise, it’s bye-bye Borz and another solid night for Dricus Du Plessis. Another common rival between the UFC 319 PPV top bill stars has provided much the same assessment on Chimaev and how he fares against the champ.

Khamzat Chimaev will lose if he can’t stop Dricus Du Plessis early on the ground, per 185lbs ‘Reaper’

There is much to look ahead to regarding the UFC 319 pay-per-view main event; it’s a skills clash between berserkers. Dricus Du Plessis boasts an awkward head-first, swing striking, mixed with K-1 style kickboxing and a solid anti-wrestling. His anti-wrestling is often touted to be at par with well-versed defensive boxer Sean Strickland, who manages to stay on feet a lot.

Khamzat Chimaev could have a rough time against Dricus Du Plessis
Khamzat Chimaev could have a rough time against Dricus Du Plessis (Source: X)

The Afrikaner was all stout against Strickland, in his yet another defense atop the UFC 312 PPV card in February. DDP also managed perfectly fine in pockets against former champ Israel Adesanya, who has good spatial management and boasts #3 spot in most Significant Strikes ever logged.

Robert Whittaker has suffered stoppage slumps against both him and Khamzat Chimaev. The Chechen fighter stopped him at the UFC 308 PPV co-main via face-crank. But again, that was an early round affair, and he gets gassed in the later ones.

With Chimaev demonstrating an inclination to decelerate in his two decision victories over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, Whittaker calls into question his capacity to prevail in the championship rounds. Specifically against Dricus Du Plessis, who rarely slows down despite looking like a gassed out fighter at times.

Honestly, I have to say Dricus would be a favorite [here], …I think I’m leaning towards Dricus. The whole thing can be summed up – Chimaev will take him down. It’s will he finish him before he gets back up? That’s the million-dollar question because if he doesn’t finish him on the ground, [then] I think he loses.

Robert Whittaker told FOX Sports Australia

Whittaker has his own assignment in the UFC on ABC 9 headliner on July 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Should Chimaev fail here, a subsequent win could propel Whittaker into the equation soon after.

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