Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis is the fight the fans are waiting to see next in the middleweight division. This is fire meeting ice inside the Octagon. On one side, you have the relentless, unshakable South African with an iron will and an unbreakable spirit. On the other, is the sheer explosive force of ‘Borz,’—a fighter who overwhelms opponents like an unstoppable force of nature. Both men are undefeated in the UFC, both seem unstoppable and if they collide for the 185-pound title in the near future, it will definitely be a fight for ages.
The reigning middleweight champion has a knack for turning the tide in his favor when it matters most. Take his first title defense against Israel Adesanya last year, things weren’t exactly going his way. ‘Izzy’ was picking him apart, controlling the fight, and pulling ahead on the scorecards. Then came Round 4. Out of nowhere, ‘DDP’ flipped the script, dragging Adesanya to the canvas and locking in a submission that sealed the victory. ‘Borz’, on the other hand, likes to dominate his opponents just like he did in his last fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
So who exactly holds an advantage in the fight? Bo Nickal feels it’s the Chechen fighter whose grappling skills give him the edge. Red Corner MMA shared a clip of Nickal having a conversation on the Home Of Fight show. The 29-year-old believes the fight will be a close one but gave the advantage to ‘Borz’.
He said, “Tough fight I think that Dricus has the size. He probably has a little better cardio. I think striking is pretty even. I would say you know Khamzat has a massive advantage in the grappling. All that considered, I think I’d give the edge to Khamzat because of that wrestling advantage. Really, the only two guys I believe in the sport that can give that feel are me and Khamzat.”
Bo Nickal Believes Khamzat Chimaev Can Beat Dricus Du Plessis
“I’d give the edge to Khamzat because of his wrestling advantage. The longer the fight goes, the bigger the advantage for Dricus. It’d be a great fight, but I’d still favor Khamzat.”
@Home_of_Fight pic.twitter.com/aw0kJ8flnl
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 28, 2025
Nickal also pointed out the fact that Chimaev doesn’t have impressive cardio. Therefore it’s very important for him to finish Du Plessis in the initial rounds. But even if he doesn’t, his wrestling skills will carry him in the fight, feels Nickal as he added, “The longer the fight goes, the bigger the advantage for Dricus. But seeing Khamzat in his last fight against Whittaker, he was very impressive. And you know, all and all, it’s gonna be a great fight. But I would give the edge to Khamzat.”
The 30-year-old fighter from the Caucuses, for a longtime, has been battling with health problems and had to once again prove himself inside the Octagon. He has made it clear the only fighter he wants next is the champion. He has now shared a message for the South African Champion.
Khamzat Chimaev feels he is ready to take away the belt from ‘Stillknocks’
Khamzat Chimaev just gave fans a glimpse into his training, sharing a short clip on his Instagram story. In the video, ‘Borz’ showcased his evolving striking game, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches on the heavy bag. While he’s best known for his dominant wrestling and suffocating top control, the footage highlights a completely new dimension of the Chechen fighter. His combinations are crisp, his power undeniable, and that trademark aggression? As ferocious as ever. If Du Plessis was expecting a one-dimensional grappling fight with Chimaev, the champion now needs to be ready for a striking war as well.
The fight is yet to be put together by the UFC. But just a few days back, a close friend of Chimaev said that a deal had been signed for the fight. The Chechen fighter has not only stepped up his training but also issued a warning to the champion. Borz reposted a video from professional fighter Shamil Baraev on his Instagram story.
The clip featured Chimaev stepping into the Octagon, accompanied by a bold caption, “Soon and new Insha Allah,” a clear nod to his ambitions for middleweight gold. With those words, ‘Borz’ left little room for doubt—he sees himself as the rightful heir to Dricus Du Plessis’ throne and is ready to claim what he believes is his destiny.
Who do you think wins the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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