Fans are buzzing with anticipation over the potential middleweight showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis. ‘Borz’, known for his relentless wrestling and raw power, has bulldozed through his opponents, but Du Plessis presents a unique challenge. With his unorthodox striking and mythical ‘plot armor’, the South African could be the toughest test of Chimaev’s career yet, making this an intriguing, high-stakes matchup.

Despite the hype surrounding Chimaev’s relentless wrestling, Du Plessis remains unfazed. The reigning champion has previously pointed out that many fighters make the mistake of fearing Chimaev’s grappling too much, allowing him to dictate the fight. However, Du Plessis is more than willing to meet ‘Borz’ head-on in the wrestling department. “Counter the jab? Oh no, that was the game plan for Strickland. Let me think of something else… The blitz? No, that was for Rob. Yeah, I’ll just out-wrestle him. That’s the game plan.” The champ stated at the UFC 312 post-fight presser.

Though the fight is yet to be officially announced, excitement is already at a fever pitch. Even former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is eager to see the matchup, having firsthand experience with Chimaev. The two locked horns at UFC 294, where Chimaev secured a decision victory. Reflecting on the potential fight, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ shared his thoughts on ESPN MMA:

“Man, I think it’s a very intriguing fight because Khamzat Chimaev is probably one of the most difficult people to deal with in that first round. And you can’t make it to round two and round three if you don’t get past one. So it’s a tough one, but I would like to say I think Khamzat Chimaev has the tools to be champion.”

However, Du Plessis is no slouch in the grappling department. In 2021, he dominated a quintet-style grappling tournament, impressively submitting five members of Team Gracie Barra. If anyone can match Chimaev’s intensity, it might just be the reigning middleweight champion.

With that experience under his belt, the 185lbs champ remains confident that Chimaev has yet to face someone of his caliber. The South African believes his endurance will allow him to drag the fight into deep waters. This is a scenario where ‘Borz’ has shown vulnerability. This was evident in Chimaev’s grueling battles against Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, where his relentless pace slowed in the later rounds.

So what does Chimaev need to do? According to former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, the key to victory is simple—finish the fight early. “If Khamzat wants to win this, he has to get it done in the first round,” Sterling emphasized, highlighting the Chechen fighter’s tendency to fade as the fight progresses.

Aljamain Sterling maps out Khamzat Chimaev’s road to victory against Dricus Du Plessis

The former 135lbs champ recently weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev’s best game plan against Dricus Du Plessis. Offering a detailed breakdown of the fight dynamics, Sterling emphasized that Chimaev’s path to victory may not be as straightforward as some expect. The former champion stressed that ‘Borz’ must finish the fight early. He warned that the longer the bout drags on, the more dangerous Du Plessis becomes. Known for his relentless pressure and seemingly endless gas tank, the South African thrives in grueling, drawn-out battles.

In a recent video, Sterling explained, “Khamzat is going to need to get him out of there in the first round. If he lets that fight get out of the first and goes crazy like he normally does, that’s a bad place to be with a guy like Dricus, who just keeps getting stronger as the fight progresses.”

Despite acknowledging Du Plessis’ proven track record, Sterling admitted the matchup is tough to call. “My heart says Khamzat; my brain says Dricus. He’s more proven, fought more consistently, and been in tougher situations.”

With expert predictions pouring in, the anticipation for this potential clash continues to build. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!