UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis faces immense pressure and significant expectations for his upcoming title defense.
UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that the reigning champion will take on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for August 16th in Chicago. This marks du Plessis`s third defense of the middleweight title since capturing it from Sean Strickland at UFC 297.
Du Plessis has solidified his position among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. His impressive run includes two wins over Sean Strickland (including the title-winning bout), a victory over former middleweight king Israel Adesanya (which earned him his title shot), and finishes against seasoned veterans such as Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till. He currently boasts an impressive 11-fight winning streak dating back to 2018.
However, many consider Khamzat Chimaev to be potentially his toughest challenge yet. Chimaev remains flawless in his professional career with a 14-0 record. His resume features notable victories over former UFC champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, and he has finished all but two of his opponents. After facing periods of inactivity, Chimaev is finally set to receive his long-awaited opportunity for UFC gold this August.
Fans are particularly excited to see Chimaev finally compete for a UFC championship. On the other hand, a successful defense for du Plessis would not only retain his belt but could also significantly boost the South African star`s standing among the all-time greats in the middleweight division.
