A former UFC champion thinks one shift in the training of Khamzat Chimaev could make the difference against Dricus du Plessis.
UFC 319 on August 16th will see the two middleweight stars battle it out for Du Plessis’ championship crown.
Chimaev passed the hurdle of US customs before the scheduled bout, which looked to derail the fight.
During training, Arman Tsarukyan claimed Khamzat will go hard with anyone and doesn’t care who his partner is.
TJ Dillashaw feels cardio is the one big change needed for Chimaev
While he may feel he is doing all the right things in training, there is one piece he needs to improve.
TJ Dillashaw believes he’ll need to add better cardio to his game if he wants any chance of becoming champion.
In a recent podcast, he explained: “Chimaev needs to get on that Sam Calavitta cardio because that’s his only downfall is getting tired.
“DDP ain’t going to get tired… He goes for the kill, and you can only do that for so long. You have to train that section.
“If he doesn’t train his cardio the right way, it’s going to be hard for him to put DDP away and DDP’s going to get him in the later rounds and gas him out.”
The South African is favoured by many in the later rounds, but the 14-0 contender has a great finishing ability.
TJ did give some advice on how he can get the best out of training with an adjustment.
“I just don’t think he has the gas tank if he doesn’t finish DDP to win the fight… If Chimaev’s going to win this fight, he’s got to break in practice,” he said.
“So you’ve got to bring in enough guys to break him because he’s going to beat up his training partners. If you’re not getting beat up in training, you’re not training at the right spot.”
Chimaev’s 100% takedown defence is key to Du Plessis’ victory
Obviously, the 31-year-old’s experience over the distance is an issue with two fights going the scheduled three rounds.
But one aspect of his game, which is key besides his knockout power, is his takedown defence.
With a 100% defence, it is his best option for stopping DDP from coming in and attempting submissions.
What the defending champion will hope to rely on is his significant strike defence of 54%.
Subduing the heavy hands of the undefeated challenger is his only route to preventing his title from being snatched away.