Khamzat Chimaev’s Long-Awaited Shot at UFC Gold
Five years after stepping into the UFC spotlight, Khamzat Chimaev finally stands at the doorstep of a world title. His journey to UFC 319 in Chicago has been anything but ordinary. When he burst onto the scene in 2020, fans saw an unstoppable force—three dominant finishes in two months, including two in just ten days. That kind of pace was unheard of. Then came COVID-19, sidelining him for over a year. But when he returned, it was with the same ferocity—his fourth straight finish secured in less than eight minutes.
Over time, Chimaev’s mystique became less about the unknown and more about the undeniable. His next few bouts went to decision, giving fans a deeper look at his skills. Along the way, he overcame a scare on the scales at UFC 279, then delivered career-best performances—outlasting former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and submitting Robert Whittaker in lightning fashion. Both wins came in Abu Dhabi, cementing his place among the elite at middleweight.
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Yet, questions still linger. His struggles with weight cuts and staying healthy through training camps have been well-documented. This time, his team has taken a new approach—keeping him from overtraining, forcing him to rest, and focusing on peak condition for fight night. Chimaev insists this is the best version of himself yet.
Across the cage stands Dricus du Plessis, a champion who has never lost in the UFC. Perfect in 10 fights since 2020, the South African has built a résumé few can match—taking the belt from Sean Strickland, defending it against Israel Adesanya, and then beating Strickland again. Known for his awkward but relentless style, Du Plessis thrives in five-round wars and has the gas tank to push a grueling pace.
Chimaev, true to form, isn’t overanalyzing his opponent. He’s not one for big talk—just the fight itself. To him, UFC 319 is the start of his era. Winning the belt, and doing it by handing Du Plessis his first UFC loss, would make the victory even sweeter. He has already hinted at wanting his first title defense back in Abu Dhabi, where he has found so much success.
As the clock ticks toward August 16, the fight world waits. Will Du Plessis’ stamina and awkward pressure outlast Chimaev’s explosive start? Or will “Borz” finally claim the gold many thought he was destined for years ago? Chimaev’s answer is simple: “Now is my time to be a champ.” Saturday night in Chicago, the truth will be told inside the cage.
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