This former UFC champion thinks everything will plan for one UFC 319 Headliner, to …
Saturday's pay-per-view Main Event will end up one of the most long-awaited title fights of the year, while Khamzat Chimaev Dricav Du Persis challenges the title of the middleweight.
Both men have remained unbeaten in the UFC so far, but it was the South African who first went to gold. And since then, Du Plessis has pushed Adesanya and Sean Strickland beyond Israel to stay on the throne.
In Chimaev, however, many expect that 'Still Knocks' will face his highest obstacle so far. The champion still has an ex-half-weight king that supports him, but they think that adversity will wait for Du Plessis before the good times arrive at the fight.
Michael Bisping sees Dricus du Plessis mount a comeback to beat Khamzat Chimaev
Michael Bisping knows what is needed to win the UFC -Middenweight title and to make an upset in a main event of the championship. And 'The Count' is tip of Du Plessis to improve the GOK's favorite on August 16.
However, the former champion does not expect that it will be easy for the South African. In fact, the Englishman thinks Du Plessis may be two rounds on the score cards.
But like many who are not convinced about Chimaev's ability to go five rounds, Bisping thinks that 'Borz' will fade, free up the way for a huge comeback and perhaps even a late finish for du plessis.
“(Chimaev's) will probably dominate the first round,” said Bisping. “I think Dricus displays the Storm in the first round … and he will probably also lose the second round.
“I think Dricus du Plessis is starting to take over, has some success in the third round, starts to land, start to grow in confidence.
“We didn't push Khamzat Chimaev into the limit over five rounds,” Bisping continued. “We have seen Dricus in the fourth round, in the fifth round … The man always tries to finish the fight, even in the late rounds.
“Dricus du Plessis will still be the middleweight champion of the world. (It) would not surprise me if he got a late break in the fourth or fifth round.”
Dricus Du Plessis wants 'full speed' Khamzat Chimaev Challenge on UFC 319
Not much has survived the fast start of Chimaev in the UFC. A former opponent of Du Plessis' was one of those who did not brutally submitted Chimaev Robert Whittaker in the very first round on UFC 308 in October.
However, the champion is not stunned by what happened earlier. And instead of looking to easily survive the opening rounds, Du Plessis is planning to become De Jager and Chimaev has challenged to go “full speed” from the very first second.
“I'm going outside to fight the road (I fight) and see what happens,” said Du Plessis during the UFC 319 Media Day.
“He did not change his game plan with Robert Whittaker because it was a five-rounder. That kind of all gives me the feeling that he will not think of the five rounds when he should be.
“Five rounds is a long time, and I'm not afraid to get to that dark place,” Du Plessis continued. “We have seen that. If we go at full speed, you know, I can fight tired all day. I have often done that.
“So let's go for it. Let's go from the first call to the last. Let's go at full speed and see who stops.”