Khamzat Chimaev delivered a dominant performance against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. He finished the former middleweight champion in the first round and firmly established himself as a top contender for the title. Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning champion, has also expressed interest in facing Chimaev and recently sent a stern warning.
Khamzat Chimaev followed his usual strategy, shooting for an early takedown against Whittaker and succeeding quickly. After a brief struggle, he secured a face crank, forcing Whittaker to tap out almost immediately. Chimaev’s incredible strength displaced Whittaker’s teeth, showcasing his raw power. Despite the display of strength, the champion remains unconcerned by the Chechen’s dominance.
He has a gun and I have a tank, when it comes to the strength. There’s not a middleweight that’s gonna overpower me…Khamzat you think you’re strong, you think you’re powerful. You have not felt anything.
Dricus Du Plessis via TMZ Sports
Dricus Du Plessis highlighted how Chimaev struggled against welterweights like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman in the past. He also pointed out the fighter’s lack of cardio in the later rounds, which he could easily exploit. Like Chimaev, DDP is also undefeated in the UFC and has no intentions of getting his first loss anytime soon.
Dricus du Plessis sends a message to Khamzat Chimaev:
“[Khamzat] has a gun and I have a tank, when it comes to the strength…
Khamzat you think you’re strong, you think you’re powerful. You have not felt anything.” 😳
🎥 @TMZ_Sports #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/hxCKVlXxYE
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 30, 2024
According to reports, Du Plessis will most probably fight Sean Strickland in a title rematch, and the ‘Tarzan’ has also confirmed the same. However, it’s clear that the South African is more inclined towards fighting Chimaev than Strickland. Similarly, many fight fans and experts are eager to see Du Plessis vs. Chimaev.
Former UFC welterweight champion previews potential Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis title fight
Dricus Du Plessis‘s confidence is at an all-time high due to his incredible run. While his title win was a little controversial, his first defense against Israel Adesanya was a testament to his capabilities. The South African fighter not only outclassed Izzy but also became the first fighter to submit him.
DDP’s weird movements and unorthodox striking can cause trouble for anybody, including Khamzat Chimaev. On top of that, his ground game and overall strength are also superior, and Kamaru Usman has already vouched for them. In a recent podcast episode, the welterweight legend shared his insights into the potential fight.
Khamzat is hell in that first round. I think 100 percent he could take Dricus down. I think he can keep him down, but I don’t know if he can get the finish because Dricus is very, very tough. There’s a reason Dricus is the champ. He’s very tough, and Dricus will not stop trying.
Kamaru Usman via Pound 4 Pound Podcast
At UFC 308, fans noticed a calm and humble side to Khamzat Chimaev, which some saw as a sign of weakness or distraction. However, Chimaev proved he’s still as dangerous as ever inside the octagon. He has already mocked Dricus Du Plessis’ wrestling skills, adding excitement for a brutal rivalry in the future.
