Half of the UFC 319 main event will not take any risks before August 16.
Although some have claimed that it is unfair, a big story about Khamzat Chimaev has been his cardio for his first UFC title fight.
Many believe that this will be a crucial factor in Chicago, with many predictions stating that Dricus du Plessis will have the benefit in the later rounds.
Another great concern about which for several years of the unbeaten career of the undefeated challenger has been spoken, the setbacks with which he stands outside the cage have been.
Daniel Cormier even claimed that he was told that at a certain moment Chimaev was out of the fight with fans who are worried about whether one of the greatest fighting of the year will stay together.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Khamzat Chimaev says he tried to avoid too much public contact before UFC 319 because of concerns about diseases
While Khamzat Chimaev was incredibly active when he first arrived in the UFC, so he could immediately get a lot of momentum, this delayed at one stage.
'Borz' claimed in 2021 that he withdrew from the sport after persistent effects of COVID-19 led to various canceled battles with Leon Edwards.
Dana White claimed that Chimaev was simply emotional before he returned later that year, but his health remained a care area for the unbeaten star.
His originally planned fight with Robert Whittaker in June 2024 was pushed back to UFC 308 in October due to illness, although it seems as if he has been able to place this behind him now.
The challenger recently made some comments that do not necessarily mean that he is still struggling with some of these issues, but he clearly takes steps to ensure that he is healthy on Fight Night.
In an interview with ESPN MMA, Chimaev revealed that he had strict instructions for him and his team to prevent unnecessary contact with people outside their circle.
“I have to be ready, not getting sick. That's why I just say to the boys, when we go to the mall, if there is a sick fan, we might get that disease, so I have to be careful.”
Fans expect that Dricus du Plessis will use Chimaev's worries as an ammunition during the UFC 319 Fight Week
Fans had already made a joke for UFC 319 that Drica Du Plessis 'through a better immune system' would win in just one of the many crazy predictions for the main event.
The reactions to the comments of Khamzat Chimaev that are shared in a social media post clearly show that people expect the champion to raise the health of his opponent during the Vecht Week.
😳 Khamzat Chimaev reveals that he does not leave his house often because of the risk of catching a disease and withdrawing from his championship fight.
“I have to be ready, not getting sick. That is why I only tell the boys, when we go to the mall, when someone comes a sick fan, … pic.twitter.com/jlqwkcessp
– Home of Fight (@home_of_fight) 7 August 2025
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Du Plessis has thrown several Jabs about this in Chimaev in the past, but now he could have more ammunition.
“Hahaha, he doesn't admit that for the press conference.”
“Ahh man can't wait to hear what DDP has to say about this.”
“DDP is going to ridicule his immune system.”