“There’s a special plan for Khamzat” – Du Plessis drops a bombshell warning.
UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis is not known for mincing words. The South African powerhouse, riding high off his recent title win, has just issued a cryptic yet chilling warning ahead of his highly anticipated clash with Khamzat Chimaev. “There’s a special plan for Khamzat,” he declared, sending shockwaves through the MMA community.
This isn’t just another fight. It’s a collision of two titans with vastly different styles, mentalities, and fan bases. And now, with Du Plessis’ bold statement hanging in the air, the stakes have never felt higher.
A War That’s Been Brewing for Years
Khamzat Chimaev, nicknamed “Borz,” burst onto the UFC scene in 2020, tearing through opponents across two weight classes with terrifying efficiency. His blend of wrestling dominance, relentless pressure, and killer instinct made him one of the most feared rising stars in the sport. While inactivity and health issues slowed his momentum, his aura remains largely intact.
On the other hand, Dricus Du Plessis climbed the ranks quietly but undeniably. He bulldozed through top contenders like Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and former champion Robert Whittaker before dethroning Sean Strickland in a brutal five-round war. Despite critics questioning his technique and conditioning, Du Plessis has proved them wrong time and again.
The two were initially set to fight in early 2024, but scheduling issues and lingering injuries delayed the showdown. Now, with UFC 319 locked in as the battleground, the anticipation is at an all-time high. And Du Plessis’ recent comments have only added fuel to the fire.
“I Know How He Breaks”
During a training camp interview with South African media, Du Plessis appeared calm but confident. When asked how he plans to handle Chimaev’s wrestling, he smiled.
“I’ve studied him for years. I know how he moves, how he breathes, and most importantly, how he breaks,” Du Plessis said. “We have a special plan. Not just to beat him, but to expose him.”
According to sources close to his camp, that plan involves nullifying Chimaev’s early-round explosiveness and gradually dismantling his will over time. Du Plessis, who’s built his career on outlasting opponents in gritty, drawn-out wars, seems to believe that Khamzat’s biggest weakness is his inability to adjust when fights get ugly.
Khamzat’s Aura: Still Intact?
The big question now becomes whether Chimaev is still the same terrifying force he once was. After dominating Kevin Holland in a catchweight fight and squeaking out a razor-thin decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, some believe his mystique has slightly dimmed.
Critics point out that Chimaev hasn’t finished a ranked opponent at middleweight, and his reckless aggression could backfire against a tank like Du Plessis. Others, however, remain firmly in his corner, arguing that his wrestling is too dominant, his pressure too overwhelming.
Still, there’s an undeniable pattern of Khamzat fading in the later rounds, and that’s exactly where Du Plessis thrives.
A Clash of Fighting Philosophies
Du Plessis and Chimaev couldn’t be more different, both inside and outside the cage.
Du Plessis represents the grind. He’s not the flashiest, nor the most technical, but he’s a relentless brawler with a champion’s heart. Whether he’s battered, bloodied, or breathing heavy, he keeps marching forward.
Chimaev, meanwhile, is the wrecking ball. He demolishes people with surgical precision in the first round. He talks trash, intimidates opponents, and backs it up with ferocious takedowns and brutal ground-and-pound.
The dynamic is simple: if Chimaev gets the fight to the ground early, he could dominate. But if Du Plessis survives the storm, he could drag Chimaev into deep water and drown him.
“He Doesn’t Want to Go Five Rounds With Me”
Du Plessis made it clear that he believes Chimaev has never faced someone like him.
“He’s used to guys who freeze. Guys who panic when he grabs their legs. I’m not that guy,” Du Plessis said. “Let’s see what happens when he shoots, and I’m still there in the fourth round, smiling, bleeding, and swinging.”
The South African added that conditioning and mental durability will be the deciding factors.
“He doesn’t want to go five rounds with me. He knows that. That’s why they wanted a three-round fight. But now we’ve got five, and I’m going to make every second count.”
What’s Really in the “Special Plan”?
While Du Plessis has kept the exact details under wraps, several elements of his strategy can be inferred based on his previous fights.
Survive the first round: This is critical. Khamzat is at his most dangerous in the opening minutes. Expect Du Plessis to keep his distance, defend takedowns, and frustrate Chimaev.
Use the clinch to wear him down: Du Plessis is extremely physical in the clinch. By leaning on Khamzat, defending with underhooks, and landing dirty boxing shots, he can sap Chimaev’s energy.
Make it ugly: Chimaev likes to control the pace. Du Plessis wants chaos. Expect knees, elbows, scrambles, and pressure. The dirtier the fight gets, the better it is for the champ.
Exploit the later rounds: If the fight goes past round two, Du Plessis will turn up the volume. He’s broken fighters before and believes he can do it again.
The Stakes Are Enormous
This isn’t just about legacy. It’s about middleweight dominance, the future of the division, and potentially setting up a super fight with Israel Adesanya—should he return.
A win for Du Plessis cements him as the undisputed king. A win for Chimaev launches him into superstardom and silences the doubts about his cardio and ability to go five rounds.
For both men, this is the most important fight of their careers.
Fighters Weigh In
Plenty of UFC fighters have voiced their opinions.
Sean Strickland recently said, “Khamzat’s going to get his jaw cracked. Du Plessis is a f***ing tank.”
Henry Cejudo, however, believes Chimaev will dominate. “This isn’t Robert Whittaker or Sean Strickland. This is Khamzat. He’s going to wrestle Du Plessis into the mat and break him.”
Daniel Cormier took a more balanced approach. “If Dricus survives round one, it’s a fight. But that’s a big ‘if.’”
The Psychological Warfare Begins
As the fight draws closer, the mind games have already started. Du Plessis, never one for loud trash talk, is playing it cool, letting his warning speak volumes. Meanwhile, Khamzat has remained unusually quiet.
UFC President Dana White has called it “one of the most fascinating style matchups in years,” and fans seem to agree. Ticket sales are reportedly through the roof, and social media buzz is at a fever pitch.
Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?
It’s hard to bet against a guy like Chimaev. He’s undefeated, violent, and determined. But Du Plessis has made a career out of defying expectations. He was never supposed to beat Whittaker. He wasn’t supposed to beat Strickland. And now, many say he can’t beat Khamzat.
But Dricus thrives on doubt. And this time, he’s promising something different. A special plan. One he claims will break the myth of Khamzat Chimaev.
Whether it’s true or just clever promotion, one thing is certain: this fight won’t be boring.
UFC 319 is shaping up to be a war. And if Du Plessis is right, Khamzat may be walking straight into a trap carefully laid in silence, far from the cameras, deep in the mountains of South Africa.
And when the cage door closes, we’ll finally see if there really was a special plan for Khamzat—or just another bold promise in a sport built on bravado.
