The middleweight division’s biggest showdown is finally set for August: champion Dricus Du Plessis will face the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a fight destined to shake the division to its core. The unstoppable force of Du Plessis meets the relentless, undefeated Chechen powerhouse. The odds are perfectly balanced—neither fighter holds a clear edge. Chimaev has never faced an opponent as explosive and unpredictable as Du Plessis, while ‘Stillknocks’ has yet to encounter anyone as hungry and relentless as Chimaev. With the countdown ticking, Chimaev has enlisted the help of a legendary trainer known for molding champions.
Dricus Du Plessis presents a significant challenge for Khamzat Chimaev, as he not only possesses the ability to counter takedowns but also boasts exceptional cardio, which has been a concern for many of his opponents. To strengthen his preparation, ‘Borz’ has partnered with the legendary wrestling coach Salim Nutsalkhanov. For those unfamiliar with the legend, Nutsalkhanov is an elite coach who has trained champions such as Olympic gold medalist Buvaisar Saitiev.
In an Instagram post uploaded by Khamzat Chimaev himself, we see the undefeated fighter gaining some valuable wisdom from the veteran coach. It’s worth reminding you that this isn’t the first time ‘Borz’ has sought guidance from Nutsalkhanov. In his last fight against Robert Whittaker, Chimaev also relied on Nutsalkhanov’s expertise — and we all know how that fight ended.
Now, you might be wondering, where does the fighter train? Well, after spending a lot of time at the All Stars Training Centre, Khamzat Chimaev moved to the Akhmat Fight Club, which is based out of Grozny, a Russian city near the Sunzha River. It must be noted that Magomed Ankalaev also trained under the same gym. In addition, Abdul-Rakhman Dudaev also trains under the same gym and has competed in 42 MMA fights so far, winning 33 of them. He is also a training partner of Khamzat Chimaev.
Despite having the best teammates in the world and an exceptional coach, the odds are still not in his favor. Even Reinier De Ridder believes that Du Plessis holds the upper hand in the fight. How? Let’s find out.
Reinier de Ridder explains why he favors Dricus Du Plessis over Khamzat Chimaev
Former ONE Champion Reinier De Ridder has been impressive in his UFC fights, holding a 3-0 record under the banner. The Dutchman could become the next contender for the middleweight title, but before that, he will have to wait and watch the fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis. During a conversation with MMA Fighting, De Ridder was asked for his opinion on the exciting main event of UFC 319. He stated that the fight would be evenly matched for both fighters.
“I’ve had some experience with both of the guys. I’ve trained with both of them. I’d say especially in a five round fight, Khamzat is most likely going to come out guns blazing again, shoot right away but Dricus is not that easy to take down. He moves very well, although it looks a bit funny at times. His footwork is not that bad. He gets out. He circles pretty well. I don’t see Khamzat taking him down right away and to be honest, I don’t see Khamzat choking him out in the first round,” said Reinier De Ridder.
We all know that Khamzat Chimaev’s cardio is problematic, and if he doesn’t take down Du Plessis within the first few rounds, it will be tough for him to navigate the fight against the South African. Well, the truth will be out when they face each other at UFC 317 on 17th August. Given that, what are your thoughts on their fight? State your opinion in the comments below.
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