Predator vs. Predator: Du Plessis and Chimaev Set for Collision at UFC 319

Two men. One belt. No backup plan.

When the Octagon door shuts in Chicago this August, Dricus "Stillknocks" du Plessis will defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against the undefeated, unflinching force of Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev.

This isn't just a fight … it's a collision between two apex predators with entirely different hunting styles.

• Du Plessis thrives on chaos, psychological warfare, and unpredictable angles.
• Chimaev hunts in silence, smothers without pause, and finishes with ruthless precision.

Only one style will survive the night.

Tale of the Tape

Dricus du Plessis

• Nickname: "Stillknocks"
• Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
• Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs / 84 kg)
• Reach: 76" (193 cm)
• Stance: Switch
• Record: 23–2
• Finishes: 19 (9 KO/TKO, 10 Submissions)
• Title Status: Current UFC Middleweight Champion
• Notable Wins: Whittaker, Adesanya, Strickland (x2)

Khamzat Chimaev

• Nickname: "Borz" (Wolf)
• Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
• Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs / 84 kg)
• Reach: 75" (191 cm)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 14–0
• Finishes: 12 (6 KO/TKO, 6 Submissions)
• Title Status: Undefeated Contender
• Notable Wins: Burns, Li Jingliang, Whittaker, Meerschaert

Fighting Style Breakdown

Dricus du Plessis – Controlled Chaos

• Relentless forward pressure.
• Switch-stance unpredictability.
• Mixes rangy strikes with opportunistic takedowns.
• Mind games designed to make opponents fight out of character.

Khamzat Chimaev – The Silent Maul

• World-class wrestling with suffocating top control.
• Closes distance instantly.
• Chain wrestles until the opponent breaks.
• Uses in-fight humiliation as part of his strategy.

Keys to Victory

Dricus du Plessis – "Stillknocks"

1. Keep it Standing Early: Force Chimaev into a striking battle from the first horn.
2. Cut the Angles: Avoid being herded to the fence.
3. Target the Body: Sap Chimaev's gas tank with liver kicks and hooks.
4. Weaponize the Mind Games: Pull Chimaev into fighting angry.
5. Flip the Crowd: Use arena energy swings to his advantage.
6. Don't Chase the KO: Let the finish come naturally.

Khamzat Chimaev – "Borz"

1. Close the Distance Instantly: Make it a clinch or mat fight in seconds.
2. Chain Wrestle Relentlessly: First takedown fails? Shoot again.
3. Break the Base: Trips, rides, mat returns. Make Du Plessis carry weight.
4. Smother, Talk, Humiliate: Control him physically and mentally.
5. Test the Championship Rounds: Grind deep into R4 and R5.
6. Control Every Transition: Always be the one dictating movement.

Wildcard Factors

• Du Plessis: If he survives the first two rounds, his confidence spikes.
• Chimaev: His hunger to finish can create reckless openings … or brutal endings.

The Stakes

• If Du Plessis wins: He cements himself as the most dangerous middleweight in UFC history and hands Chimaev his first loss.
• If Chimaev wins: He takes the belt, the aura, and begins a reign of suffocating dominance.

Closing

There's no hero and no villain here … only two hunters locked in the same cage, each believing they're the one walking out with the kill. On August 2025 in Chicago, the UFC Middleweight division isn't just getting a title fight. It's getting a war.