In Chicago on , at UFC 319, a middleweight title fight awaits: champion Dricus du Plessis versus challenger Khamzat Chimaev. The matchup doesn’t boil down to “striker vs. wrestler” — both can work in the stand-up, clinch, and on the ground. We spoke with the fighters about their game plans, the psychological duel, and why the “Boogeyman” label won’t survive the cage test.
Du Plessis: “We Fight Under MMA Rules, We’re Not Running a Grappling Tournament”
— Dricus, does Chimaev’s reputation as one of the division’s best wrestlers bother you?
— Honestly? No. We’re not competing for a grappling title. This is MMA. In the cage, it isn’t just entries to the legs and control that decide things, but the completeness of your arsenal — from fighting off the back foot to timing your takedown defense and transitioning into counters. I’m ready to answer the shot, get back to my feet by the fence, and immediately return the pressure.
— What’s the key to success against that kind of pressure?
— Discipline and variety. If the opponent presses with a series of shots — meet him with a knee, chip away at the body, don’t stay square in the stance, change angles. I brought a champion’s rhythm to the UFC and I intend to impose it.
“I’ll Shock the World Again” — The Champion on the Fight Scenario
— What kind of fight do you see on August 17?
— Historic. I’ll shock the world again. There’s a lot of talk about the middleweight “Boogeyman” — well, there can be only one “Boogeyman,” and that’s me. Five rounds? I’m ready. A quick finish? I’m fine with that too. The main thing is to force my exchanges and not let the opponent settle into a comfortable pace.
Chimaev: “I’ll Go All In as Always, but I’m Ready for 25 Minutes Too”
— Khamzat, you often say everything will end quickly. Is that the plan for Chicago as well?
— I always go all in. We’ll see how soon it happens — I think quickly. But if needed, I’ll go all five rounds. I’m ready for championship distance, a high pace, grappling along the fence, and exchanges on the feet.
— What in the champion’s style deserves special attention?
— He’s durable, stubborn, and likes to break the opponent’s game plan. But I’ve got answers — pressure, pace, and positional control. I’m ready for any sequence: clinch, ground, and exchanges of jabs and low kicks.
“We’ll Have Some Fun” — On the Press Conference and Mind Games
— Should we expect a lively war of words before the fight?
Chimaev: — Why not? We’ll have some fun. He’s a funny guy, talks a lot — I like that format: jokes, jabs, but nothing excessive.
Du Plessis: — Let him talk. I respect any promotion, but the cage will decide everything. The noise around it is a bonus for the fans; the result is what matters to me.
What’s at Stake
The UFC middleweight championship belt and the aura of a force to be feared. The five-round title fight in Chicago promises a clash of styles where takedowns, takedown defense, the clinch, and sharp jabs will be as important as psychological resilience. One man is going all in, the other insists: “This isn’t grappling — this is MMA.” We’ll get our answer on at UFC 319.
