Dricus Du Plessis is clearly not very convinced that his next opponent will reach the Octagon on August 16.
The middleweight champion of the UFC will put its title at stake for the third time when Du Plessis looks at Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 319.
Du Plessis has recently encouraged the Chimaev fight after the dominant victory of the undefeated competition in Robert Whittaker last October.
This matchup finally saw 'Borz' some health problems behind him with a triumphant return to the Octagon where he remembered fans where he is really capable of.
To prepare for everything that happens to both men, the promotion has already placed a back -up hunter for UFC 319 in Chicago.
Dricus du Plessis jokes that he will be confronted with Nassourdine Imavov on UFC 319 instead of Khamzat Chimaev
A first report from RMC Sport stated that Nassourdine IMAVOV will weigh if the Back -up Hunter for UFC 319 has now been confirmed by various sources.
The #1-contender on 185 pounds will make the trip to Chicago, so that he can step into the main event if something happens with Dricus du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev.
In recent times, the current middleweight champion has had a very reliable track record to make it to fight the night, despite the moisture of some injuries that led to leisure time.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Injury and health setbacks have been an important point of discussion during the UFC career of Chimaev, where his momentum was considerably delayed by the time he spent inactive.
The 31-year-old suffering permanent effects of COVID-19 with greater concerns that led to its original matchup with Robert Whittaker in June 2024 that was canceled.
Fans hope that Chimaev has become a corner, but this would always be used as an ammunition for the title defender who has become one of the most prominent trashers in the UFC.
After the first reports that IMAVOV Stand –by was, Du Plessis joked that the promotion might as well make the switch in advance.
“I think I'm fighting Nassourdine Imavov.”
Dricus du Plessis responds to the news that Nassourdine Imavov will serve as the back -up hunter for his #UFC319 Headliner against Khamzat Chimaev.
“I think I'm fighting Nassourdine Imavov.” 😅 pic.twitter.com/3BVQZ7FKMM
– MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) May 14, 2025
View tweet
Nassourdine Imavov trained with Khamzat Chimaev Before trying to get a title shot for him
After his knockout victory over Israel Adesanya in February, Nassourdine Imavov believed that he earned the next title shot.
Many believed that Khamzat Chimaev had already earned that opportunity, even if he couldn't fight for the title immediately because of the rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
IMAVOV previously trained with Chimaev prior to his fight with Brendan Allen, where 'The Sniper' expanded his profit treak to three.
The French competition has previously called Du Plessis on social media because he did not offer the same opportunities with which 'Still Knocks' could become champions.