Muhammad Mokaev has thrown his two cents into the ring ahead of the UFC middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Muhammad Mokaev thinks Dricus du Plessis could pose a serious threat to Khamzat Chimaev in their upcoming title fight, but only if the South African can make it out of the first round. The undefeated Chimaev is known for his explosive starts, but Mokaev suggests that might be his undoing against the durable Du Plessis.
Mokaev Predicts Trouble for Khamzat Chimaev if Dricus Du Plessis Survives Round One
According to Mokaev, the real test for Khamzat Chimaev comes if Du Plessis can weather the early storm. In an interview with Chael Sonnen, Mokaev explained:
“If Whittaker survived the first round with Chimaev, then it might go the distance. Sometimes Chimaev puts too much effort in early rounds, not saving his energy. Du Plessis is strong, maybe stronger than Chimaev, but Chimaev has athleticism and wrestling. Du Plessis likes to bully with power, but Chimaev can win any scramble.”
UFC 319
For those catching up, Dricus du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion. The South African has made a habit of outlasting opponents with a style that looks a little wild but gets results. He’s built a reputation for pushing the pace and staying dangerous all the way to the final bell.
On the other side, Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated and has made a name for himself by finishing fights quickly, often before his opponents have even broken a sweat. His wrestling and aggression are his calling cards, but there are questions about whether he can keep that up for five rounds. The highly anticipated match will see Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev on August 16 in Chicago at UFC 319.
Dricus du Plessis has shown he’s more than just a fast starter by going the distance in tough five-round fights. Most notably, he beat Sean Strickland twice over the full championship distance, including a close split decision to win the title and a dominant unanimous decision in their rematch. He also submitted Israel Adesanya in round four, showing he doesn’t fade late.
Khamzat Chimaev built his reputation on speed – literally. He set a UFC record by winning two fights in just 10 days, finishing John Phillips and Rhys McKee across two weight classes. Chimaev also owns one of the fastest knockouts in UFC middleweight history, dropping Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds.
Mokaev is no stranger to UFC fans. He’s a flyweight who made waves with his grappling and relentless style. Though he’s currently outside the UFC after his contract ended, he’s still keeping a close eye on the action and isn’t shy about sharing his opinions.
The big question: Can Dricu Du Plessis survive the first round and drag Khamzat Chimaev into deep waters? Or will Chimaev’s fast start be too much for the champ? Mokaev, for one, thinks round two could look very different from round one, and that’s where things might get interesting.
