Dricus du Plessis has the chance to have his name put side-by-side with some UFC legends by adding another win to his record at UFC 319.
The UFC Middleweight champion defends his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, with both men putting their impressive win streaks on the line in search of gold.
Dricus du Plessis has been finished twice in his career, but since debuting in the UFC, he has won every fight he’s been in despite criticism over Stillknocks’ fighting style.
A win in Chicago is crucial not just for his title reign, but also du Plessis’s place in the history books.
- READ MORE – Dricus du Plessis dismissed ‘irrelevant’ criticism following opponent’s confusion after title win
Dricus du Plessis looks to overtake Arnold Allen in the longest undefeated UFC debut streaks
A win over Chimaev at UFC 319 would move du Plessis clear of his joint-fifth-placed rival in the rankings for the longest winning streak at the start of a UFC career.
Since du Plessis debuted in the UFC with a knockout win over Markus Perez, the UFC Middleweight champion has gone on a winning run lasting nine fights.
He defeated Robert Whittaker before challenging Sean Strickland for the belt, winning it before defending it against Israel Adesanya and Strickland again to cement himself as the top fighter in the division.
| Ranking | Fighter | Debut win streak |
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 15 |
| 2 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | 13 |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanowski | 12 |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 10 |
| =5 | Dricus du Plessis | 9 |
| =5 | Junior Dos Santos | 9 |
The South African is currently joint fifth in the record books, sharing nine consecutive wins with UFC legend and former Heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos.
A victory at UFC 319 would take him level with Arnold Allen, who managed ten wins on the bounce at the start of his career.
However, both are still behind three former champions in Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamara Usman, who racked up win streaks of 12, 13, and 15 fights, respectively.
Khamzat Chimaev can match Dricus du Plessis with a win at UFC 319
Despite the impressive start to his career, du Plessis can be caught by Chimaev at UFC 319, as the Chechen fighter has launched his own impressive winning streak.
He is currently on an eight-fight winning streak since making his debut at UFC Fight Island 1, where Chimaev battled during the pandemic to beat John Phillips on the prelims.
Just ten days later, Chimaev beat Rhys McKee with a first-round knockout before he put on his most impressive performance, knocking out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds.
Chimaev dominated his next five fights, including chatting to Dana White in the middle of his victory over Li Jingliang as he forged an 8-0 record in the promotion since his debut.
If he can conquer du Plessis and become UFC Middleweight champion on UFC 319, Chimaev will match the South African’s own winning streak by ending it in Chicago.