The predictions for Saturday’s UFC main event are coming in, and one former champion believes a new champion is on the horizon.
UFC 319 is set to have one of the most anticipated fights of the year between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title.
While the pair have had a mutual respect as competitors in the build-up, they have promised violence in the Octagon on Saturday, with Du Plessis believing that being ‘different’ to Khamzat will be his best weapon.
‘Borz’ has been positioned as a star throughout his eight blistering fights in the company, with fans always on the lookout for his early finishes, predominantly on the ground.
Former UFC champion predicts ‘superstar’ in the making performance from Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 against Dricus Du Plessis
While he faces the unorthodox task of Dricus, the Chechen has been training with his new fight camp set-up in California with Arman Tsarukyan, and experts are interested in the new elements to his game.
A former opponent of the 31-year-old Russian and UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, is predicting that the man who beat him will become the next middleweight champion.
Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, with co-host Henry Cejudo, he believes the wrestling may catch out the South African more than people expect.
Usman said: “I don’t understand why you would say that people counted (Khamzat out).
“DDP hasn’t fought a wrestler since Derek Brunson… we saw how that looked in the first couple of rounds. Derek just eventually, I believe, gassed out, and DDP does what he does best, and that is DDP will not give up.
“That’s what we love about him. He will not give up. DDP will continue to try, and if DDP continues to try and if Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t done his cardio work, I see DDP definitely turning this one around, but for me, this is a very, very tough one.”
The cardio of the challenger is a concern because he struggled with opponents like the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ over the distance, although training with TJ Dillashaw and his coach at the JAXXON house has meant an intense focus on preparing him for the championship distance.
Kamaru’s official prediction was not just a win for ‘The Wolf’ but even the birth of a new star in the organisation.
“But I think Khamzat Chimaev might actually go out there and get it done. If you look at the landscape of where we are right now, it’s almost like every so often we get a new generation of guys that come out and just become the superstars of the game,” he said.
“You’ve got potentially Khamzat Chimaev, and if Khamzat is able to go out there and get it done, he becomes the third undefeated champion in company history.”
Former Dricus Du Plessis opponent backs the champion to finish Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319
While Khamzat has been shown support from a former foe, ‘Stillknocks’ has also been backed by his rival to get the finish on the tricky competitor.
The two-time ex-UFC champion, Israel Adesanya, gave his breakdown on his YouTube channel and explained what he feels will unfold in the five-round bout.
Adesanya said: “I look at this fight two ways. Khamzat comes out, gets a hold of DDP, and just drags him into deep water in the first or second, and finishes him. Or DDP matches his crazy.
“Khamzat showed his hand, he’s going to go after him from the get-go. But I think DDP will weather the storm, and probably finish Khamzat later on, because Khamzat, if it gets to Rounds 3, 4, 5, it’s going to be a problem. I say Round 3 or 4, DDP.”
What it will take from either man is to use the element of unpredictability to gain the upper hand, and it seems the ‘surprise’ factor to experts lies with the champion.