UFC 319 is apparently just a normal evening at the office for Khamzat Chimaev.
That is far from the case on paper, because Chimaev is approaching his very first title shot in the UFC in one of the most expected pay-per-view main events of this year.
'Borz' will have remained unbeaten by his rise of star row on the largest stage of mixed martial arts and will continue his search for dominance for making history on UFC 319, where Chimaev Dricus du Plessis will challenge.
Given the opportunity, the Chechen hunter would be forgiven to feel the pressure. But instead, Chimaev appears to be just as cool, calm and collected as they come aside Ceremonial weightings.
Khamzat Chimaev calls Dricus du Plessis challenge just a 'normal fight'
Chimaev is no stranger in the spotlight, who has had several pay-per-views co-head and shared the cage with countless former champions.
The capacity of the 31-year-old to deliver triumphs, despite high efforts, was clear when Chimaev Robert WHITTAKER brutally submitted in 2024 in 2024 and survived a late rally from Kamaru Usman the year before.
UFC 319 has raised a level in terms of attention, but 'Borz' is not surprised. This was demonstrated during a game of 'Word Association' that played the middleweight title with TNT Sports prior to the 16 August event in Chicago.
When Du Plessis was called, Chimaev gave a hilarious reaction of two words that indicates how casual he was for a large part of the UFC 319 Fight Week.
“Normal fight,” said Chimaev.
Khamzat Chimaev is focused on money, not a UFC title
Chimaev's reaction may not be surprising where his motivation is.
'Borz' played heads in Vechtweek when he revealed that holding UFC Gold is not what motivates him to compete. Instead, Chimaev is focused on the money that comes from fighting.
That was music in the ears of Du Plessis, who responded during an interview for the YouTube channel of Daniel Cormier and warned his rival that he could not overcome at UFC 319 with such a mentality.
“You can't fight with that if your motivation,” said Du Plessis.
“You pay all that money to get away there if you are five rounds with me.
“If the money is your motivation … (it) will drive away very quickly,” Du Plessis continued. “There is no amount of money that you will put in that fight when I am there to give my life to win.
“It must be bigger than you. Money is no bigger than me; passion, inheritance and performance, that is bigger than me.”