Latest news with #Stillknocks
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'It's going to be a long ride home to South Africa': Dana White reflects on Dricus du Plessis' loss
UFC boss Dana White says it's going to be 'a long ride home to South Africa' for Dricus du Plessis Image: Saeed Khan / AFP UFC boss Dana White says it's going to be 'a long ride home to South Africa' for Dricus du Plessis, following the his crushing five-round defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago on Sunday. Du Plessis, who was defending his middleweight title for the third time, lost via unanimous decision after a relentless display of grappling dominance from Chimaev. Fighting in front of a sold-out United Centre crowd, Chimaev suffocated the "Stillknocks" as du Plessis is affectionately known among his fans with constant takedowns. In a press briefing after the fight on Sunday, White commended Du Plessis' toughness, despite being overwhelmed for most of the fight. 'To be in the position that he was in the crucifix, just getting dominated on the ground and punched in the face and elbowed, it's a very frustrating place to be in," the UFC boss said. 'I thought he handled it well and came out every round trying to get in the fight and try to win. It's going to be a long ride home to South Africa.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ IOL previously reported that following the fight, du Plessis praised Chimaev's control and skill inside the octagon but vowed that he would reclaim his belt again. 'Massive shoutout to Khamzat (Chimaev). He has incredible control; it was not a matter of strength, but more a case of he knew what your every next move would be. "To describe his style, it's like a blanket wrapped around you."In that last round, I went for it, and almost had it. I could taste the victory, but it did not happen; he deserved it. He is the champion, and I will be back stronger and better than ever. To everybody in South Africa, I am sorry for letting you down. We will come back stronger,' said Du Plessis. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Sport
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
El Matador? Dricus du Plessis dares Khamzat Chimaev to charge him at UFC 319 – ‘Let's go full speed, see who quits'
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis defends his title for the third time against the oncoming force Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319 this weekend (Sat., Aug. 16, 2025), which all goes down inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This blockbuster showdown has been picked apart by fans and analysts alike, with the narrative boiling down to one question: Can Chimaev's ferocious early blitz crush du Plessis, or will 'Stillknocks' survive the onslaught and turn the tables in the championship rounds? A five-round war could force Chimaev to rethink his all-out approach—but du Plessis is banking on the opposite and hopes 'Borz' charges him from the opening bell as the South African champion will not quit. 'He didn't change his game plan against Robert Whittaker despite it being five rounds, so that already gives me the sense he's not thinking about the full distance,' du Plessis told reporters during UFC 319 media day. 'Five rounds is a long time, and I'm not afraid to go to that dark place—you've seen that. If we go full speed, I can fight tired all day—I've done that many times. So, let's go for it. Let's go full speed and see who quits.' Chimaev has never gone past 15 minutes in his 14-fight career, hitting the three-round mark only twice (against Gilbert Burns and ). Meanwhile, Du Plessis has twice endured 25-minute battles in the UFC, including two cardio-draining slugfests with Sean Strickland. Will stamina be the X-factor in this high-stakes clash? The MMA world gets its answer in just three days. LIVE! Watch UFC 319 PPV On ESPN+ Here! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., Aug. 16, 2025, with a blockbuster title fight set to headline UFC 319 from inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois. In UFC 319's PPV main event, Middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his title against undefeated No. 3-ranked contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in a high-stakes, five-round battle of unbeaten UFC records. UFC 319's PPV co-main event features a Featherweight showdown between Lerone Murphy and promotional newcomer, Aaron Pico, a high-profile free-agent signing stepping in on short notice. UFC 319 will also showcase a Welterweight clash between Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates, a Middleweight bout pitting Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page, a Flyweight matchup featuring Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura, and much more! UFC 319's start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET ('Early Prelims'), 8 p.m. ET ('Prelims' undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card)Don't miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action! Where to Buy: Check price at STREAM UFC 319
