Du Plessis vs. Chimaev? Coach Says “No Problem” for the Champ
If you’re one of those MMA fans who’s been hyping Khamzat Chimaev as the second coming of grappling greatness, here’s a friendly reality check for you. According to Dricus du Plessis’ coach, Morne Visser, “one-dimensional” doesn’t quite cut it against the reigning middleweight champ. Translation? Chimaev is great, sure, but he ain’t great enough.
You know Chimaev’s story by now (because how could you not?). The guy bulldozed his way through UFC competition like Thanos with a glove full of Infinity Stones. He’s an undefeated monster, eating veterans like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman alive. Okay, “alive” might be pushing it considering both bouts ended in decision wins, each exposing cracks in Khamzat’s so-called flawless armor.
Well, Visser doesn’t see this “beast” as much of a challenge. His words, not mine, point-blank suggested that Chimaev is ultimately “one-dimensional.” That one dimension? Wrestling. Fabulous for a freestyle showdown, but the squared circle of the UFC doesn’t hand out gold belts for being a one-trick pony, no matter how polished that one trick is. Visser’s stance? If Khamzat shows up to wrestle, his boy Plessis is ready to counter every move. They’re even planning to beat the Chechnyan star at his own game. Spicy.
Why Plessis Is a “Problem” for Elite Fighters Like Chimaev
While it’s tempting to buy into the Khamzat hype train, hit the brakes for a second and consider a few things about Du Plessis.
Since stepping into the UFC, Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis has been ruffling feathers and barely breaking a sweat while doing so. Riding an absurdly impressive 9-0 run in the UFC (and just one loss in nearly a decade)? That’s not luck, folks. That’s a system.
Visser insists fans need to stop nitpicking his fighter’s unorthodox style. Is it slightly “awkward”? Sure, but awkward doesn’t mean ineffective. And if you’re still doubting him, well, clearly you haven’t watched a single fight, because those awkward hands have been dropping contenders like Friday night beer mugs at the pub. His ability to both absorb and adapt under fire is why Chimaev, a dude dependent on controlling chaos, could struggle badly to find his rhythm.
Chimaev’s Standup? “Pro-License Questionable”
This is where it gets extra juicy. Visser didn’t just throw subtle shade; he practically summoned the eclipse. He outright questioned Khamzat’s striking credentials, saying, “I wouldn’t even give him a pro license for his standup.”
Ouch.
Look, anyone with functioning eyes saw that Chimaev struggled in those pockets of standup against Burns. Kamaru Usman, stepping in on a few days’ notice with an expired cardio tank, still managed to win rounds when Khamzat couldn’t secure the takedown. If Chimaev plans to keep it standing for extended periods against Du Plessis, he might want to re-watch some tape… and then rethink his life choices.
Wrestling to the Rescue? Not This Time
Outwrestling Chimaev where he’s most comfortable is either a flex of colossal confidence or sweet, sweet madness. For the Du Plessis camp, it’s definitely the former.
Here’s the thing no one acknowledges enough about Dricus’ toolkit. His wrestling defense isn’t just serviceable; it’s part of why he keeps winning. When you panic wrestle against him (and Lord knows Chimaev tends to panic when frustrated), it’s fair game for Plessis to capitalize with crushing transitions. You want to shoot? Cool, but he’ll likely stuff it or invite a gnarly clinch war where, spoiler alert, he reigns supreme.
Final Thoughts on Plessis vs. Chimaev
Underestimating Khamzat Chimaev would be idiotic. The guy’s dangerous—that much is undeniable. But what makes him dangerous also makes him predictable, and predictability in MMA is one surefire way to end up staring at arena lights. For Du Plessis, who seems to thrive on defying conventional wisdom, Chimaev feels more like a solvable puzzle than a looming catastrophe. And Visser? He looks ready to cash that check his confidence is writing. Whether or not that check clears come fight night, though, is what makes this matchup can’t-miss drama.
Focus keyword optimized? Check. Spicy enough for Google and humans? Double check. Now, share your predictions below before Visser accuses you of being as one-dimensional as Khamzat’s gameplan.
