UFC 319 is shaping up to be a massive showdown as defending champion Dricus du Plessis and the formidable challenger Khamzat Chimaev trade verbal jabs ahead of their clash. So, who’s ahead? According to early FanDuel odds, ‘Borz’ is currently a -194 favorite, nearly a two-to-three favorite, giving him an impressive 66% chance of taking down ‘Stillknocks’. The undefeated phenom has the crowd buzzing, but the South African champ isn’t short on support either, with plenty rallying behind him because of his powerful abilities.
The current 185 lbs kingpin has been nothing short of a steamroller in his journey so far. However, there has always been a slight edge of doubt when it comes to facing tough competition like Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. It was only in the Sean Strickland fights that he got the edge, thanks to his all-around skills. But against Chimaev, those doubts have already started to surface. Still, industry experts like Chael Sonnen have strongly backed him for his credibility to turn the tide at any moment.
‘The Bad Guy’ in a YouTube video said: “We’re gonna know in the very first round. If Dricus gets taken down in the first round, things are going to unravel very quickly. But if he can defend a takedown for the entire first five minutes, it’s only going to get easier after that.”
After Sonnen’s backing, middleweight legend Robert Whittaker also pointed out that du Plessis’s grit, along with the brute strength he possesses, could definitely pose problems for Khamzat Chimaev at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The former champ believes the reigning, defending, and undisputed middleweight titleholder has developed his cardio and powerful striking to a point where it has become something of a “superpower” for him.
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At the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker said: “Dricus, he got a gas tank. He got that dog in him. If you don’t put him away, he’ll keep fighting. He’ll keep coming at you with his bombs, his punches, and his kicks. He’ll keep doing that until the bell rings, and I think that’s one of his superpowers. I think that’s the biggest thing in play for this fight is just what Chimaev does with the takedowns. Because I believe, there’s no doubt in my mind that he gets them, but what does he do with them?”
That’s a solid point by ‘Bobby Knuckles’. There was a time when du Plessis struggled with breathing due to a nasal obstruction. But after undergoing surgery in April 2023, he’s since powered through five-round fights without looking too worn out. And if he can maintain that stamina against Chimaev, and avoid getting submitted early, we just might see Dana White wrapping that belt around his waist once again.
There’s still a bit of time before these absolute warriors collide in the Octagon. However, predictions are already flying across the MMA world, and one of Dricus du Plessis’s former opponents has already made a bold one that might just impact the odds as the fight draws closer!
Sean Strickland picks Dricus du Plessis to beat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319
Well, Chael Sonnen and Robert Whittaker have already expressed their belief in Dricus du Plessis’s ability to hold onto his belt. And now, Sean Strickland has joined the list. ‘Tarzan’ believes the reigning champion’s counter-wrestling skills could be the key factor when he finally steps into the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev on August 16.
The former middleweight champ told Helen Yee: “They can grapple. Someone like me, I’ve been training these f–s for years. I usually could counter-wrestle and grapple them. So, I just don’t know if f–g Dricus can be able to counter-wrestle him. But if he can, I think he wins, hands down. I sparred the f–g Chechen w—e. Hands down, I think Dricus wins. It’s just going to come down to are you going to be able to stop that and counter-wrestle him? You can. It’s not hard.”
Sean Strickland has trained with Chimaev at Xtreme Couture ahead of ‘Borz’s clash with Kevin Holland at UFC 279. Plus, he’s gone through a grueling 10-round war against the reigning champion himself. So, he has solid insight into both fighters. Who knows? The champ might just pass the biggest test of his career and keep that reign going strong!
With that being said, do you think that Dricus du Plessis could actually defy the odds once again to stand tall at the UFC 319 headliner? Or will Khamzat Chimaev continue his tag as the ‘Boogyman’ of the middleweight division? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
The post Bad News for Khamzat Chimaev as Robert Whittaker Underlines Dricus Du Plessis’s Ultimate ‘Superpower’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
