Reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis faces significant pressure and high expectations for his upcoming title defense.
UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that du Plessis is scheduled to fight undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319, taking place on August 16 in Chicago. This bout marks du Plessis`s third defense of the title he originally claimed from Sean Strickland at UFC 297.
Du Plessis has solidified his reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters globally. His impressive record includes winning the title from Israel Adesanya, securing two victories against Sean Strickland, and achieving stoppage wins over seasoned veterans such as Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till. He currently boasts an impressive 11-fight winning streak dating back to 2018.
However, Khamzat Chimaev presents potentially his toughest challenge yet. Chimaev remains undefeated in his professional career with a 14-0 record, featuring notable wins against former UFC champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. He has finished all but two of his opponents. Many believe that only inactivity has prevented Chimaev from challenging for a UFC title sooner. Now, he finally gets his opportunity this August.
Fans are eagerly anticipating seeing Chimaev compete for UFC championship gold for the first time, although some observers express caution about the fight actually coming to fruition without issues. Regardless, should du Plessis successfully defend his belt against the undefeated challenger, it would significantly boost the South African star`s legacy and standing among the greatest middleweights of all time.
