UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis responded to Khamzat Chimaev's 'Secret Weapon' for UFC 319.
Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev are just over a week from collision in the Octagon at UFC 319. It is one of the largest UFC fights of the year, and a matchup that is fiercely discussed by fighters, fans and experts for months.
Although it is one of the best pound-for-pound hunters in the world, few du Plessis give the chance to stop the unbeaten Chimaev during Fight Night. Chimaev made his strong business for a title shot when he demolished Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last year.
In anticipation of UFC 319, Chimaev has tackled a gaping hole in his skills; His cardio and conditioning.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dricus Du Plessis responds to the rumors 'secret weapon' of Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev has worked with the former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw's old conditioning coach, Sam Calavitta, for UFC 319. Dillashaw has addressed the Cardio improvements of Chimaev in recent weeks, labeling the 'secret weapon' for the Middelste star to use.
But Du Plessis is not surprised that Chimaev has done work that he feels that he has been postponed for years.
During a recent performance on the Ariel Helwani show, Du Plessis responded to the rumor 'secret weapon' of Chimaev for UFC 319.
“I have to say, Khamzat looks incredible in training, what I have seen and people talk about it. People talk about he is training with this new coach, and I am very happy with him, he did it for five weeks from the fight. I did this all my life,” said Du Plessis.
“I fought in title fights for the past, five or six years, in the UFC. My belt has already defended the hard work he turns on,” he really turned it on “, that's what I did every fight.”
Du Plessis then went Chimaev as the 'boogeyman' of the middleweight division.
“That is not new to me. People praise him for doing what is needed, that is what I feel … He is a special hunter, incredibly good, but I can't wait. This victory for me is being history,” Du Plessis said.
“I'm going outside and I'm going to shock the world again, as everyone said:” It's impossible, not this guy. ”
“You're going to see the boogeyman, you are going to break him there and realize that there is only one boogeyman and that is me.”
Du Plessis is, just like Chimaev, unbeaten in the UFC -Tachthoek. After winning the belt in a controversial way in UFC 297, Du Plessis earned dominant victories over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland on their way to the Chimaev fight.
Dricus Du Plessis made a surprise choice for the best opponent he was confronted
Du Plessis went through a whole series of dangerous contenders prior to UFC 319. But for the UFC middleweight champion, one opponent stands above the rest, including Chimaev.
Du Plessis praised Adesanya as the most difficult opponent he fought in his UFC career. This, despite the completion of Adesanya on UFC 305 and fights over ten rounds with Strickland.
Many believe that Chimaev will be the most difficult test of Du Plessis's career at UFC 319. But despite Chimaev's awards and cruelty, he has fought against middleweight in just a handful of battles in his UFC office period.
The winner of Du Plessis vs. Chimaev could possibly challenge other belts after UFC 319. Former heavyweight Jager Brendan Schaub thinks Du Plessis could fight one day before a heavyweight belt if he passes Chimaev.