UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has maintained an impressive unbeaten run in the promotion, a streak his head coach is confident Khamzat Chimaev cannot bring to an end.
Speaking in an interview, du Plessis` coach, Morne Visser, addressed recent rumors regarding the champion`s health – speculation partly fueled by Khamzat Chimaev. More importantly, Visser discussed a potential clash with Chimaev. Online discussions had questioned why a title defense against the undefeated Chimaev for UFC 317 hadn`t been announced, but du Plessis and his team consistently stated that the fight was never officially booked.
If the highly anticipated matchup eventually takes place, Visser believes du Plessis will successfully defend his title once more, potentially by outperforming Chimaev in what is considered Chimaev`s own domain.
Khamzat is known for his wrestling. We aim to face him on the ground. To truly prove you`re a champion in MMA, you must be ready to compete everywhere – it`s not just boxing, wrestling, or grappling, it`s mixed martial arts, so you have to fight. While you fight where you are strong, we are proficient in all areas. Dricus is skilled in wrestling and grappling, his ground-and-pound is effective, his submissions are good, and his standup is phenomenal. We showed that in his last fight.
It wasn`t even the best Dricus; he was perhaps a seven out of ten against Strickland compared to his gym performance, but he still secured the win. He brought it home by winning all five rounds. So yes, our plan is to fight Khamzat on the ground.
Questioning Chimaev`s credentials, Visser pointed to his past performances.
What has he really accomplished? Look at his fight with Gilbert Burns; Gilbert put in the effort despite being essentially a lightweight. Kamaru Usman, with no specific wrestling preparation, gave him a significant challenge. That`s precisely where we want to fight him.
I hear he`s training with bigger guys now to build strength, but that won`t help him. It`s a fight, not purely grappling or wrestling. We want to fight him on the ground and break him up in pieces there. He`s one of those irritating individuals. I`ve never had an issue with Israel Adesanya or any other fighters, but this guy is just annoying.
I`ve been watching him for a long time, and Dricus is going to finish him on the floor. Chimaev might not believe it, he might not think so, but that`s the exact spot where we want the fight.
Visser appeared particularly frustrated by any suggestion that du Plessis might avoid a fight without a legitimate reason, highlighting his fighter`s recent history of consistent activity. Du Plessis won the UFC middleweight title in January 2024 and has maintained a high level of activity compared to many in the division.
In contrast, Chimaev has become known for fighting infrequently, having competed only once per year since 2022. Despite his limited appearances, he has delivered impactful performances, including a recent submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker.
It`s honestly ridiculous how many times Chimaev has withdrawn. Looking at his last six scheduled or actual fights, he pulled out of three. He also missed weight for the Kevin Holland fight. He fought Kamaru Usman on just ten days` notice, and in my opinion, Kamaru gave him a proper test with minimal preparation. I`m still puzzled why Kamaru didn`t pursue a rematch there.
Then there`s his win over Robert [Whittaker], which was also somewhat questionable because Robert entered that fight with teeth and jaw issues, injuries sustained against Dricus. So, what has Chimaev genuinely achieved? I don`t even believe he warrants a title shot. He should simply stay quiet, show up, take his defeat, and get it over with.
Visser openly admitted that another factor contributing to his reluctance to consider Chimaev the undisputed next contender is Chimaev`s recurring pattern of withdrawing from bouts. While Chimaev has cited health concerns, including lingering effects from a 2020 COVID-19 infection, Visser hinted that other issues might be influencing his availability.
That`s his characteristic trait – pulling out. He seems to prefer playing the role of a `movie star.` Look at his career trajectory. I believe he has fought only three times over the past three years. Dricus, on the other hand, has competed three times in just over a year. Within approximately 13 to 14 months, we had three fights, all of which were demanding title bouts – two five-rounders and one four-rounder. Chimaev has fought only three times in the last three years; his focus appears to be on the spectacle rather than consistent competition. I question if he truly wants this career. He acts like a movie star.
