UFC 319: Dricus du Plessis set to defend title against Khamzat Chimaev
FIGHT CONFIRMED Dricus du Plessis is set to defend his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago on August 16. Picture: Saeed Khan / AFP
Du Plessis first beat Sean Strickland to earn the middleweight belt, before defending against Israel Adesanya before defeating Strickland again.
UFC chief executive announced the headline event of the fight night on Tuesday, during an Instagram Live stream.
Du Plessis will be challenged by Khamzat Chimaev for the title.
Dricus du Plessis will defend his middleweight title for a third time at UFC 319 on August 16 in Chicago, USA.
Du Plessis Confidently Embraces Khamzat Chimaev Challenge Without Fear
On his fight against Chimaev, Du Plessis told CBS Sports: "I think everyone has been moving backward trying to evade that takedown.
"No, no, no. I'm not scared of Khamzat's wrestling. I'm not evading. I'm not trying to stay off the ground with Khamzat. That's the mistake everyone makes. I'm going to fight Khamzat wherever the fight goes.'
Having celebrated his 31st birthday in January, Du Plessis could remain at the top of the UFC landscape for at least another few years.
Of course, a brutal contact sport like UFC is anything but predictable and all it could take is one massive hit or momentary loss in concentration for Du Plessis to lose a fight.
That however, hasn't happened since his debut in the UFC in October 2020.
Since then, Du Plessis has notched up nine wins in a row which included the middleweight title in his seventh fight.
Though Du Plessis has had his fighting style described as 'a white guy dancing', his unorthodox approach is certainly effective.
Lending credence to his ability, are his former welterweight and Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) titles.
The Welkom-born Du Plessis has a grounding in judo and wrestling before taking up kickboxing at the age of 14. He would go on to win gold in the Kickboxing World Championships at the age of 17.
With not much potential for big paydays, Du Plessis then turned to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and turned professional in 2013. It's certainly been one of the best decisions he made, and his time as the UFC champ might only just be beginning.
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