Khamzat Chimaev faces his toughest test to date at UFC 319, but one of his peers expects his complete domination to continue.
While Chimaev’s run toward gold on MMA’s biggest stage has been hampered by health and weight issues, he’s finally found a home at middleweight and has the throne in his sights.
In the main event of the August 16 pay-per-view, Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the 185-pound crown, an opportunity he earned by running through Robert Whittaker in one round last October.
Nobody has even managed to beat Du Plessis in the UFC, let alone destroy him in that fashion, but one contender wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘Borz’ do so.
Caio Borralho can see Khamzat Chimaev running through Dricus du Plessis
Among those looking to secure the spot opposite the Du Plessis vs. Chimaev winner down the line is Caio Borralho, a charging contender training out of the renowned Fighting Nerds team.
Before ‘The Natural’ enters the cage for his title eliminator against Nassourdine Imavov in Paris the following month, he’ll no doubt pay close attention to his division’s next title fight at UFC 319 in Chicago.
And in a recent interview with MMA Crazy during International Fight Week, Borralho revealed how he expects the bout to play out.
“I think it could be as fast as the Whittaker fight,” Borralho said.
“Because people don’t prepare well to fight Khamzat. They think it’s just about training against wrestlers. It’s not about that.
“So let’s see what kind of preparation Dricus is going to do for this fight,” Borralho added. “But every time that I bet against Dricus, he shuts my mouth.
“(But) I think it can be as fast as the Whittaker fight.”
Dricus du Plessis predicts domination of his own at UFC 319
Unsurprisingly, Du Plessis is picturing things differently.
Soon after his third title defense was confirmed for the main event of UFC 319, Du Plessis fired an ominous warning at Chimaev.
“I don’t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong,” Du Plessis wrote on Instagram.
“When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.
“That’s a promise. As we say in (South Africa) built different!! #stillknocks #preparetobeamazed.”