There is not much that Khamzat Chimaev is missing as an MMA hunter, but he has not one thing that is in the arsenal of Dricus du Plessis.
The next time the gold division is on the line, the UFC 319 pay-per-view will take place, set in United Center in Chicago on August 16.
The closing of the show in the main event will be Du Plessis and Chimaev's middleweight title fight, because the South African wants to record his third successful defense by accusing the currently perfect record of 'Borz'.
Du Plessis has continued to prove that his doubters are wrong so far during an undefeated UFC career, and one of the other best middle weights in the world predicts that to be the case at UFC 319.
Johnny Eeblen loves the chances of Dricus du Plessis against Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 319
During a recent interview on MMA Junkie Radio, PFL star and former Bellator Centralweight Johnny Eblen broke the following title fight in the 185-pound division of the UFC.
Eeblen, who has long been described as one of the best hunters that compete outside the UFC, sees a big advantage that Du Plessis could bring over the line: his experience.
“He is not (the boogie -man). He is just a man,” said Eblelen about Chimaev. “He is just a human. Gilbert (Burns) made him look human, (Kamaru) Usman has made him look human and I think DDP will make him look human.
“Plus DDP is like a big, physical man. I don't think Khamzat is just going to man trade. Plus, (Chimaev's) cardio is a bit doubtful. I don't think DDP's cardio is so doubtful. He is getting tired, but he still has a lot of output.
“I just love the chances of DDP because the boys he fought and the rounds he has submitted,” Eeblen added. “Chimaev does not have that. Not to say that it will be easy, Chimaev is very, very heavy, but I think DDP has more, he is simply more a veteran when it comes to five round fights and heavy fights, and he fought all the time. Chimaev is just a bit an issue.”
Johnny Eeblen hopes to prove himself against Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev
Although he is currently competing under a different banner, Eeblen hopes to claim the 'best middleweight in the world' tag by seeing and beating the UFC 319 headliners.
The PFL contract from Eblen is at the beginning of 2026, which means that it will have the opportunity to explore the opportunity to sign at the UFC and add the gold of that promotion to his trophy cabinet.
Although he has positive things to say about the PFL, 'Johnny Pressure' has insisted that he cannot prove his superiority over any other middleweight unless he competes against the elite.
Since that level of opposition is simply not possible in its current promotion, Eeblen probably seems to eblen a move to the Octagon after handling things in his remaining fights or two in the PFL, starting against Costello van Steenis in Cape Town this month.