One of the biggest title fights of the year will take place next month at UFC 319.
Dricus Du Plessis may have wrongly mentioned a huge Co-Main event for the map, but with or without extra matchups, August 16 is simply not to be missed.
Khamzat Chimaev finally seems to compete in his first UFC title fight when he challenges 'Still Knocks' for the middleweight belt in Chicago, Illinois.
Many hunters and fans are divided on the outcome of the main event, in which some predicts that Du Plessis will put an end to the undefeated run of his challenger.
A former UFC champion who shared the Octagon with both men recently gave his prediction for what the coming middleweight title fight will decide.
Robert Whittaker sketches what the crucial factor will be in Dricus du Persis vs Khamzat Chimaev
The last two defeats of Robert Whittaker came to Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev then 'The Reaper' suffered a number of setbacks when he tried to recover the UFC Middenweight Title.
Both his TKO loss for the South African on UFC 290 and the mauling he received from 'Borz' on UFC 308 confirmed that both men would challenge the 185-pound belt in their next fights.
In a recent interview about the main event of FOX Sports Australia, Whittaker gave his opinion about the UFC 319 -Matchup and revealed what he believes that the decisive factor will be.
The former champion is convinced that Chimaev will secure a Takedown on his opponent, just as he did on UFC 308 before he submitted Whittaker in the first round.
'The Reaper', however, believes that if the challenger cannot put the champion away before Du Plessis gets up again, we 'and still' hear 'on August 16.
“To be honest, I should say that Dricus would be a favorite. He is probably a favorite, but I think I tend to Dricus. The question, the whole thing can be summarized. Chimaev will take him down, is he wants him to finish before he comes up again?
“That is the question of a million dollars, because if he doesn't, if he doesn't finish him on the floor, I think he loses.”
Robert Whittaker outlines four fighting plan before the end of his incredible career
In the same interview, Robert Whittaker was asked about his striving for Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev as 'The Reaper' seems to avenge his losses.
The former UFC champion further revealed that he hopes to have four more fights in the Octagon before retiring, which he thinks he will put him back in the title photo.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
“Four fights. I see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Whittaker revealed. “I see – yes – four. I want four more. I am. I see that the stepping stones have to do what I want to do.
“Four battles put me in that title shot, brings me into a position, you know, you end up at the top – to have that fairytale -like end.”
Before Whittaker can look to direct the top names in the division, he must pass by rising competition Reinier de Ridder when they meet in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26.