“Khamzat has him crucifixed. DDP is bucking,” journalist Nolan King tweeted as the Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight unfolded inside the United Center in Chicago in front of 20,023 fans. That single post, fittingly, summed up the entire bout. From the opening bell, ‘Borz’ imposed his will, smothering ‘Stillknocks’ with relentless takedowns and suffocating top control. Du Plessis had little to offer against Chimaev’s grappling clinic.
The Chechen native completed 12 of 17 takedown attempts, repeatedly trapping his opponent in a crucifix and unleashing strikes. Each time the South African found the faintest rhythm, Khamzat immediately shut it down—dragging him back to the mat and pinning him with knees across the back, waist, and legs. The result was a grinding display of dominance that left little room for striking exchanges or back-and-forth action, as Chimaev was announced the victor via unanimous decision.
“Listen, I don’t know how hard they are, and I don’t wanna f—ing know how hard they are,” White told a reporter at the post-fight press conference when asked about Chimaev’s punches from the crucifix position, which had appeared less damaging than expected. “Nobody wants to be in the crucifix and getting punched in the head like that. It’s gotta be the most frustrating you know… suck the heart and soul right out of you type thing to happen.”
Credits: IMAGO
At the same time, White admitted he wasn’t thrilled with the strategy, calling it tough to watch. “Just getting dominated on the ground, the way that he did, is no fun for anybody,” White said. Still, the event was a financial success, pulling in $11.05 million at the gate—the highest ever for the venue. And while the action may not have been electrifying, the toll on Du Plessis was clear. “I mean, his face was pretty busted up. The knees that he was taking to the body and to the legs and the hips, it’s gonna be a long ride home to South Africa,” White said in the presser.
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