In anticipation of their long -awaited UFC 319 title fight in Chicago, Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev were facing each other for the first time.
The UFC will return to the Windy City for UFC 319 for the first time since 2019 with a middle -weighted fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
The fight has been going on for a long time and would probably have happened earlier if it was not for visa issues on the side of Chimaev, because Du Plessis asked the promotion for the fight since his victory over Israel Adesanya over UFC 305.
Prior to the long -awaited fight, both fans and hunters are divided about whom they think they will win, and UFC commentator Joe Rogan has claimed that Du Plessis 'should bend the rules' to win the fight.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
Du Plessis and Chimaev hand out intense first sight
Only a few days of the fight were both hunters on stage accompanied by the rest of the main card hunters at the UFC 319 Pre-Fight Press Conference.
From the very beginning, it became extremely clear to whom the crowd will root, because 'Stillnocks' was stuck loudly as soon as the first question was asked.
Of course, as he usually does, the South African champion played for the public and gave something back to the Chicagoans.
After a few exchanges between the two most important event hunters, Chimaev sent a shot to Du Plessis and claimed: “Africa will never see the belt again. Sorry guys.”
Earlier this week, concern for Du Plessis came up after he and Chimaev met each other in the Fighter Hotel, with fans who noticed a huge difference in size.
However, it was after all the last questions were asked when Du Plessis and Chimaev were able to get a real view of each other.
The two had their first sight before the fight after the press conference, and things were extremely intense between the two.
After they shake hands, the two came extremely close when Chimaev seemed to keep talking to Du Plessis who refused to take revenge. Shortly thereafter, Dana White stepped in to prevent a little further.
Chimaev answers doubt about activity as a champion
Not long ago, UFC legend Din Thomas claimed that as Chimaev Chicago leaves as champions, it will be a 'disaster' for the promotion considering his recent inactivity.
Nevertheless, the Chechen recently closed those claims and stated that if he wins the title on Saturday, he would defend it later this year in Abu Dhabi.