UFC 319; It’s fight week for Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Fight week has arrived for one of the most highly anticipated middleweight title clashes in recent memory: Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev headlines UFC 319 this Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
Both undefeated in the UFC, du Plessis and Chimaev bring a combined 25-fight winning streak into the Octagon. Du Plessis looks to defend his title for the third time, while Chimaev, the relentless wrestling sensation, is aiming to capture UFC gold for the first time. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Opinions in the MMA world are split. Darren Till is backing his friend Chimaev to take the belt, while du Plessis has earned support from former opponents like Sean Strickland and Gilbert Burns, both of whom believe the South African will be the first to hand Chimaev a loss.
Now, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has weighed in with his own prediction—and it’s raising eyebrows.
Chris Weidman Picks Du Plessis to Win After 2.5 Rounds at UFC 319
Speaking on the UFC Vegas 109 post-fight show, Weidman pointed to Chimaev’s cardio issues in his only three-round bouts—against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman—as a key vulnerability. Unlike du Plessis, Chimaev has never competed in championship rounds.
“Wow, I’m going Dricus,” Weidman said, reacting to the desk’s predictions. “I’m going Dricus later [in the fight] because I’m a genius.”
While UFC analysts Din Thomas and Alan Jouban backed Chimaev, Weidman was confident in his pick, citing du Plessis’ proven ability to push the pace deep into fights.
“What’s wrong with you guys?” he joked. “We just talked about Chimaev’s cardio being an issue. DDP has shown he’s figured it out. It’s also about your style—and how comfortable you are in those five-round fights.”
Weidman added that du Plessis is particularly skilled at making his opponents uncomfortable, something he believes Chimaev, who lacks five-round experience, may struggle with.
“I think this fight goes into the championship rounds,” Weidman concluded.
Will Chimaev Go for an Early Takedown?
One thing that could define this bout is how Chimaev chooses to start the fight. Known for his aggressive grappling from the opening bell, Chimaev wasted no time in shooting for a takedown against Kevin Holland at UFC 279, charging across the cage as soon as the fight began.
While Chimaev has overwhelmed many opponents with his explosive first-round pressure, this is his first five-round fight in the UFC. Some wonder if he’ll pace himself differently against a durable and experienced opponent like du Plessis.
Still, many believe Chimaev’s best chance is to dominate early. The big question: Can du Plessis survive the storm if Chimaev comes out swinging—or shooting—right away?
All eyes will be on Chicago this Saturday to find out.
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