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Dricus du Plessis’ Coach Confident: “Khamzat Chimaev Doesn’t Have What It Takes”
The UFC middleweight division has a new sheriff in town, and his name is Dricus du Plessis. The South African champion has been cutting through the division like a hot knife through butter, and according to his coach, not even the boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev can stop him.
In a recent interview that’s got the MMA world buzzing, du Plessis’ head coach made some bold claims about how a potential showdown with the undefeated Chimaev would play out. Let’s break down this developing story that could shape the future of the 185-pound division.
The Champion’s Camp Speaks
Speaking with Submission Radio, du Plessis’ coach didn’t mince words about his fighter’s chances against the much-feared Chimaev, who many consider to be one of the most dominant forces in the UFC today.
“Dricus has faced every style of fighter you can imagine,” the coach explained. “We’ve studied Khamzat extensively, and while he’s certainly dangerous, we don’t see anything in his game that Dricus hasn’t already overcome in previous fights.”
What makes this particularly interesting is the timing. With du Plessis coming off his championship win against Sean Strickland and Chimaev making noise about moving up to middleweight permanently, this potential clash has all the makings of a super fight.
Breaking Down the Matchup
When looking at how these two would match up, several factors come into play:
| Fighter | Striking | Wrestling | Submission | Cardio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dricus du Plessis | Unorthodox, powerful | Underrated, improving | 9 submission wins | Proven 5-round engine |
| Khamzat Chimaev | Developing, powerful | Elite, dominant | 6 submission wins | Question marks remain |
Du Plessis’ team believes their fighter’s well-rounded game and cardio advantage would be the difference maker. “Khamzat relies heavily on his wrestling and physical dominance in the first round,” the coach noted. “But we’ve seen what happens when he can’t get an early finish. Dricus thrives in deep waters.”
The Wrestling Factor
Chimaev’s wrestling has been his calling card, but du Plessis’ coach doesn’t seem worried.
“Everyone talks about Khamzat’s wrestling like it’s this unstoppable force,” he said. “But Dricus has faced Olympic-level wrestlers before. His takedown defense has improved tremendously, and even if he does get taken down, his scrambling ability is world-class.”
This confidence isn’t unfounded. Du Plessis showed exceptional wrestling defense against Robert Whittaker and managed to turn the tables on Darren Till in their bout, showcasing his own grappling prowess.
Is This Fight Actually Happening?
While the verbal sparring has begun, there are hurdles to overcome before this dream matchup materializes:
- Chimaev needs another win at middleweight to solidify his contender status
- Du Plessis likely has Israel Adesanya waiting in the wings for his first title defense
- Chimaev’s persistent health issues have caused fight cancellations in the past
The UFC typically doesn’t rush title opportunities, even for fighters with Chimaev’s hype. However, if Chimaev were to impressively dispatch another top-5 middleweight, the promotion might fast-track him to a title shot given his star power.
What This Means for the Division
The middleweight division is suddenly looking like the UFC’s most exciting weight class. With du Plessis as champion, Adesanya looking to reclaim his throne, Robert Whittaker still in the mix, and now Chimaev potentially entering the equation, fans are in for some blockbuster matchups.
Du Plessis’ coach sending this message through the media is a clear indication that they’re not ducking anyone – a refreshing stance in an era where some champions are accused of cherry-picking opponents.
Fan Reaction
The MMA community has been divided on this potential matchup. Some believe du Plessis’ relentless pace and durability would wear down Chimaev, while others think Chimaev’s wrestling would be too much for the champion.
One thing’s for certain – this is the type of fight that sells Pay-Per-Views and gets casual fans invested in the sport.
What’s Next for Du Plessis?
While the Chimaev talk is exciting, du Plessis has more immediate concerns. The new champion is likely to face either Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker in his first title defense, depending on how the UFC decides to book these matchups.
His coach remains confident regardless of the opponent: “Dricus improves dramatically between each fight. The version that beat Strickland won’t be the same version that defends the belt. He’s constantly evolving.”
The Bottom Line
Whether Chimaev gets the next shot or has to wait in line, du Plessis’ team has made it clear they don’t fear the Chechen destroyer. In a sport where confidence is everything, the South African camp is showing they believe their fighter is truly the best middleweight on the planet.
For now, MMA fans can only hope this potential clash of titans comes to fruition. If it does, we might be looking at one of the most anticipated middleweight title fights in UFC history.
What do you think? Would Dricus handle Khamzat, or would “Borz” maul his way to another victory? Drop your predictions in the comments below!
Source: Submission Radio
