Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev could no longer be different when it comes to their motivations prior to UFC 319.
Since he went to the middleweight throne at the beginning of 2024, Du Plessis has remained unbeaten in the UFC by setting two successful title defenses.
The South African has pushed challenges from the past of both Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland to settle as one of the longest complicated champions of the promotion, but the most difficult test of his rule so far could come on Saturday evening.
Many have pointed out on Chimaev as the biggest threat to Du Plessis, but the champion did not look like the UFC 319 building during the structure. And his high confidence has recently received a different boost because of a number of potential regarding comments from the challenger.
Dricus Du Plessis responds to Khamzat Chimaev aimed at wealth over UFC titles
Predictions are varied for the Main Event of UFC 319, with a number of Chimaev to run in the same way through Du Plessis that he did against Robert Whittaker to earn his shot in October 2024. In the meantime, others, the superior cardio of Du Plessis will pay dividends in the later rounds.
The South African supports himself to survive someone in the Octagon when it becomes difficult, and he is especially convinced that this is the case after Chimaev has revealed that wealth is his most important priority in MMA, not championships.
“You can't fight me with that if your motivation,” Du Plessis told Daniel Cormier for UFC 319.
“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.”
Dricus Du Plessis has always had faith in beating Khamzat Chimaev
Although the Focus of Chimaev is on wealth music in the ears of Du Plessis, it is not as if the champion needed more confidence.
The South African has long kept a strong self-confidence when it comes to his chances of becoming the first man who defeated 'Borz' in MMA. Just after the fight was confirmed, Du Plessis Chimaev promised an unwanted experience in the cage on UFC 319.
“I don't care how good you think you are, how difficult, how fit or how strong,” wrote du Plessis on Instagram.
“When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first experience and not a pleasant one.
“That is a promise. As we say in (South Africa) built differently !! #stillknocks #prparetomeamazed.”
Similar ominous warnings have been streamed on both sides during the Vechtweek, also during the last comments of the couple on Friday's ceremonial weightings.
Chimaev warned Du Plessis that if they share the Octagon on Saturday evening, he would become 'dead'.