UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has little doubt he can match Khamzat Chimaev’s bodily prowess.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) turned his consideration to Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) after the unbeaten contender ran by Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission this previous Saturday at UFC 308. Chimaev’s power and grappling proved to be an excessive amount of as soon as once more, however Du Plessis says “Borz” gained’t have the ability to impose his will on him.
“After I battle, I don’t know easy methods to again up,” Du Plessis advised TMZ. “I’m going to go on the market and battle you. We’ve seen this with Khamzat, slowing down after the primary spherical, round-and-a-half, and I believe that’s as a result of he makes use of a lot energy.
“He has the wrestling method, in fact, however he makes use of his power as a weapon. On this case, he has a gun, and I’ve a tank relating to the power. There’s not a middleweight that’s going to overpower me. It’s not going to occur.”
Within the UFC 308 post-fight information convention, Chimaev was requested by MMA Junkie about Du Plessis’ grappling, which he instantly dismissed – however the champion issued him a warning.
“If it’s Khamzat, you assume you’re robust, you assume you’re highly effective, you haven’t felt something,” Du Plessis mentioned. “And I can’t wait till I see it on his face as a result of I see it on each single individual I battle’s face. After they notice, ‘Oh sh*t.’ That’s the message.”
Du Plessis additionally defined his choice of pivoting to Chimaev over a Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) rematch. Du Plessis claimed the middleweight title by edging out Strickland at UFC 297, a battle Strickland believes he gained.
“I utterly welcome the Strickland rematch. I’d like to get that end as a result of for Sean, he wants a win again, I would like a end,” Du Plessis mentioned. “He doesn’t thoughts to battle boring fights like most of his fights. That’s why he has seven or eight break up choice wins. For me, I need to battle a man like Khamzat to throw down. Not say that he’s going to then jab for 5 rounds. Myself and Sean, it was an in depth battle, however there was little doubt in my thoughts that I gained that battle. … Strickland simply beat Paulo Costa in a really boring battle as soon as once more, proper after our battle.
“Whether or not it was shut or not, it’s nonetheless a loss. Khamzat, they’ve puffed up this man for therefore lengthy, however he hasn’t come to fruition. He hasn’t misplaced, however the battle cancellations and him being sick. Typically that’s out of our management. However he was the primary man to ever submit Rob, and he did it within the first spherical, and that warrants him leaping the gun on Sean Strickland for me. If you happen to ask me personally, that’s a battle I’d slightly need as a result of that’s a battle the folks need. It’s a battle extra followers need, and I imagine Khamzat is the subsequent greatest man.”
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