Dricus du Plessis arrives at UFC 319 in Chicago as the betting underdog, defending his middleweight title against a fighter many believed would dominate the division for years to come: Khamzat Chimaev. But as du Plessis has shown in the past, odds don’t decide fights—fighters do, and the champion is betting on that mindset once again.
This will be du Plessis’s third title defense as an underdog, a status he’s grown used to since rising to prominence. He’s twice toppled opponents who opened as favorites against him—Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker—and he handed both former champions their losses in spectacular fashion. In contrast, Chimaev has usually entered as the favorite, with a frenzy around his ascent that has been tempered by a run of health, weight and travel setbacks.
Du Plessis argues that his momentum isn’t a product of luck or luck of the draw; it’s the result of a deliberate path. “Odds don’t make fights, fighters do. The odds have never dictated how I fight,” he told CBS Sports. “Saying that I became everything people thought Khamzat would be, I agree with that. That’s because I’m built differently. I’ll show that again on the 16th.”
While Chimaev’s rise has stalled at times for reasons outside the cage, du Plessis has stayed active and continually stacked his résumé. He points to a stronger track record than Chimaev in the UFC, boasting four wins over former champions to Chimaev’s two, a distinction he believes matters as the title chase unfolds. He even pressed to fight Chimaev before the UFC booked his rematch with Sean Strickland, underscoring his willingness to test himself against the best.
“The ultimate goal of being the greatest is to do this,” du Plessis said. “To be the greatest, it’s not how many guys you beat or how long you were at the top; it’s about who you beat while you were there. I don’t want to be the guy who held the belt and selected opponents. I want to fight the best of the best and that’s what I’ve been doing.” He also points out the numbers: Chimaev has eight UFC wins; he has nine. “Go compare our resumes, it’s ridiculous,” he adds with a mix of confidence and humor.
Underselling himself is not in his nature. His fighting style—often described as relentless and somewhat unorthodox—has carried him through battles where opponents’ defenses seemed to threaten him with a different outcome. He’s repeatedly turned up the pressure, wearing down foes in waves until openings appear. He even compares his approach to how a hunter reads the moment a prey falters, insisting that his aggression is a calibrated, strategic force rather than a random onslaught.
Chimaev’s nickname, Borz, translates to “wolf,” a fitting label for a fighter billed as an apex predator by many of his supporters. Yet du Plessis has staked his own claim as the middleweight jungle’s king, tracking Chimaev’s every move and promising to bring a similar outcome when they collide at UFC 319.
What to watch for in Chicago
– Pace and pressure: du Plessis tends to push the pace until his opponent tires, a tactic that could disrupt Chimaev’s rhythm.
– Wrestling versus MMA: du Plessis acknowledges Chimaev’s wrestling prowess but frames the contest as a broader MMA battle, where strategy and conditioning can tilt the balance.
– Mental edge: the underdog narrative may fuel du Plessis’s confidence, especially after proving doubters wrong against Adesanya and Whittaker.
Positive note and outlook
This matchup presents another chapter in a career built on defying expectations. If du Plessis can impose his tempo and apply sustained pressure, he could crystallize the idea that the belt’s lineage is defined not by who sits on the throne, but by who defends it by fighting the toughest challengers in the division.
Summary
Dricus du Plessis faces a high-stakes test against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago, entering as the underdog but armed with a proven record against former champions and a mindset that odds do not determine greatness. The winner will likely hinge on who can impose their preferred pace, leverage their strengths most effectively, and seize the pivotal moments when they arise.
Overall, this fight promises a combative, high-energy showdown with real implications for the middleweight division and a potentially defining moment in du Plessis’s pursuit of a lasting legacy.