The UFC middleweight division is preparing for a blockbuster showdown that could redefine the landscape of the sport. Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated Chechen-born powerhouse, is widely regarded as one of the most brutal fighters in the UFC today. But when he steps inside the Octagon against Dricus du Plessis, he may finally face a challenge capable of making him crumble—and perhaps even in round two.
On paper, Chimaev’s aggression and relentless grappling appear unstoppable. However, beneath the surface lies a stylistic puzzle that Du Plessis may be uniquely equipped to solve. Fans, fighters, and analysts are eagerly debating: does Du Plessis have what it takes to hand Chimaev his first professional loss?
Khamzat Chimaev: A Fighter Fueled by Brutality and Relentless Pressure
Since arriving in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has demolished nearly every opponent in his path. His ability to overwhelm opponents in the opening round, forcing them into survival mode with powerful takedowns and crushing ground-and-pound, has earned him comparisons to legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre.
But despite his dominance, cracks in the armor have begun to appear. His razor-thin decision win over Gilbert Burns exposed vulnerabilities in his defensive striking, and his tendency to burn energy early could be costly against a fighter who thrives in deep waters.
Dricus du Plessis: The Iron-Willed Warrior with Unmatched Cardio
On the other side stands Dricus du Plessis, the current UFC middleweight champion, whose iron will and relentless pressure fighting style make him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division. What separates Du Plessis from Chimaev’s past opponents is not just his toughness, but his ability to absorb early damage and get stronger as the fight progresses.
Du Plessis has made a career out of weathering storms in round one, only to turn the tide with his crushing clinch game, suffocating pace, and explosive striking combinations. His fights against Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya showcased his ability to stay calm under fire and capitalize when his opponents began to fade.
The Key to Victory: Survive Round 1, Dominate Round 2
The formula for beating Chimaev is becoming clearer with every fight:
Survive his early onslaught.
Force him to fight at a high pace.
Exploit his fatigue in the later rounds.
Few fighters have the mental fortitude and physical conditioning to implement this plan. Du Plessis does. His cardio, pace, and durability make him perfectly suited to drag Chimaev into unfamiliar territory. By the time round two arrives, Chimaev’s explosiveness may have significantly diminished, leaving openings for Du Plessis to take control.
The Grappling Battle: Can Chimaev Control Du Plessis on the Mat?
One of the most fascinating aspects of this matchup is the grappling battle. Chimaev thrives when he can take fighters down and smother them with positional dominance. But Du Plessis is no slouch on the ground. A former judo and wrestling standout in South Africa, Du Plessis has shown the ability to scramble intelligently, defend takedowns, and reverse positions.
If Du Plessis can neutralize Chimaev’s top control and force clinch exchanges against the cage, it could sap Chimaev’s gas tank early, setting the stage for a turnaround in round two.
Du Plessis’s Chin and Recovery Are His Hidden Weapons
Chimaev’s punching power and submission threat are real, but Du Plessis has repeatedly demonstrated one of the most underrated chins in the sport. He’s been hurt, dropped, and rocked—yet every time, he finds a way to recover quickly and fire back.
This resilience could frustrate Chimaev, who is used to breaking opponents mentally after landing a few clean shots. The longer Du Plessis refuses to wilt, the more the pressure shifts back onto Chimaev.
Chimaev’s Questionable Gas Tank: A Growing Concern
In Chimaev’s last few outings, particularly his war with Gilbert Burns and his close fight against Kamaru Usman, fans witnessed a recurring concern—his gas tank doesn’t always hold up across multiple rounds of high-intensity action.
While Chimaev excels in short bursts, Du Plessis thrives in sustained warfare. If the Chechen star fails to get the finish early, the momentum will likely swing towards Du Plessis, who historically builds as the fight wears on.
Psychological Warfare: Du Plessis Has Nothing to Lose
Another overlooked element is the mental battle. Du Plessis will walk into this fight as the underdog in many people’s eyes, but that suits him just fine. With no pressure to protect an undefeated record, Du Plessis can fight freely, while Chimaev faces the weight of expectations and the fear of his unbeaten run ending.
This psychological advantage could allow Du Plessis to absorb early punishment calmly, while Chimaev grows more desperate for a finish as the fight progresses.
Expert Predictions Favor a Mid-Fight Shift
Several UFC analysts and former fighters have weighed in on this matchup. Many believe that while Chimaev is likely to dominate the first round, the second round is where Du Plessis’ conditioning, experience, and toughness could flip the script.
If Du Plessis survives the opening frame, many predict that he will start to break Chimaev’s spirit, forcing mistakes and openings for a finish—whether by ground-and-pound or a TKO from exhaustion.
What Happens in Round 2?
Round two is the danger zone for Chimaev:
If his energy management isn’t perfect, Du Plessis will capitalize.
If Chimaev leaves openings during transitions, Du Plessis has the power and timing to punish him.
If the fight turns into a brawl, Du Plessis’ durability and pace favor him significantly.
Expect Du Plessis to press the action early in the second, force Chimaev backward, and land damaging strikes in close quarters.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
This isn’t just a title fight. It’s a collision of philosophies:
Chimaev’s early dominance vs. Du Plessis’ late surge.
Power grappling vs. sustained pressure.
The Chechen Wolf vs. The South African Savage.
Whoever wins this bout could define the next era of the middleweight division—and potentially set up blockbuster fights with stars like Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, or Robert Whittaker.
Final Prediction: Du Plessis by TKO in Round 2
While Khamzat Chimaev is undeniably one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC, Dricus du Plessis holds the exact tools needed to break him down. If he weathers the storm and forces Chimaev to expend his gas tank early, Du Plessis is poised to overwhelm him in the second round.
Expect Du Plessis to:
Survive a rough first round
Push Chimaev to his cardio limits
Open up with a flurry of strikes in the second
Secure a TKO finish as Chimaev struggles to recover
Conclusion: Will the Wolf Fall to the Hunter?
Khamzat Chimaev’s aura of invincibility has been built on his ability to end fights before adversity sets in. But Dricus du Plessis is a different beast—one who thrives in adversity and gets stronger the deeper the fight goes.
If the fight reaches the second round, the world may finally witness what happens when the Chechen Wolf runs out of steam. And if Du Plessis has his way, it’ll be the night the Wolf crumbles.
