Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis steps into his upcoming title defense facing immense pressure and considerable expectations.
UFC CEO Dana White recently confirmed that du Plessis will put his belt on the line against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. This highly anticipated clash is scheduled to headline UFC 319 on August 16 in Chicago. For du Plessis, this marks his third defense since he captured the title from Sean Strickland at UFC 297.
Du Plessis has solidified his position among the world`s elite pound-for-pound fighters. His impressive record includes two victories over Strickland, a successful title defense against former middleweight king Israel Adesanya, and finishes over seasoned veterans such as Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till. He currently boasts an impressive win streak of 11 fights, dating back to 2018.
However, Khamzat Chimaev represents potentially his most formidable challenge to date. Chimaev holds a perfect professional record of 14-0, with notable wins over former UFC champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. He has finished all but two of his opponents. Despite facing periods of inactivity, which arguably delayed his shot, Chimaev finally gets his chance at UFC gold this August.
Fans are buzzing with excitement over the prospect of seeing Chimaev finally compete for a UFC title. Should du Plessis succeed in defending his championship against such a challenging opponent, it would significantly elevate the South African star`s legacy and standing among the greatest middleweights in mixed martial arts history.
Here are some of the fan reactions following the announcement of the UFC 319 main event:
