As the world awaits UFC 319—where South African middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will defend his belt against undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev—the champion made it clear this isn’t just another title defense. Speaking with TMZ Sports, du Plessis called this showdown “the biggest fight of my life,” emphasizing what’s at stake.
“This is the best opponent — to date… He is the No. 1 contender in the world. He is the best guy without a title in the world.”
“I want to be the GOAT.… And Khamzat Chimaev is the next best guy. That is 100 percent.”
TMZ
The battle won’t just be about defending gold—it’s about legacy. Du Plessis draws inspiration from the icons of the United Center, especially Michael Jordan. Walking past Jordan’s statue gave him “goosebumps” and reinforced his singular goal: to be remembered as the greatest.
TMZ
Why This Fight Matters
- Highest-caliber opponent yet: Du Plessis has vanquished former champions like Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, but in Chimaev, he faces an undefeated force who arrives via a devastating win over Robert Whittaker.
MMAmania.comWikipedia - GOAT ambition: Du Plessis isn’t chasing mere title defenses—he’s chasing history. He’s vowed to cement his place among the middleweight all-time legends by facing and defeating the best.
SIIOL - Unorthodox advantage: Despite Chimaev being the favorite, Du Plessis trusts in his unique, hard-to-prepare-for style. He believes no camp can truly mimic his combative rhythm.
The Sun
What’s Next… and Beyond?
If du Plessis triumphs, the division’s door swings wide open. Analysts believe he could become the UFC’s first-ever triple-division champion—eventually eying light heavyweight and perhaps even heavyweight gold.
Talksport
At a Glance: What Du Plessis Said
| Quote | Significance |
|---|---|
| “This is the best opponent… He is the No. 1 contender.” | Marks Chimaev as his toughest challenge yet. |
| “I want to be the GOAT.… Khamzat is the next best guy.” | Makes a direct bid for legacy by tackling elite opposition. |
| “We will live up to that hype.” | A confident promise that this matchup will deliver in the octagon. |
Final Thought
Du Plessis isn’t just defending a championship—he’s defending a legacy. Beating Chimaev isn’t just another tick on his record; it’s the kind of defining moment that separates great fighters from legends. When that Octagon door closes in Chicago… the world will know exactly where Du Plessis stands.
