Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis expressed confidence in beating Khamzat Chimaev despite a lopsided loss last August. In a recent interview, he described feeling that Chimaev was ready to quit during their final round. Meanwhile, Paulo Costa has voiced interest in facing Chimaev after his upcoming fight at UFC 327.
Dricus du Plessis, the former UFC middleweight champion, recently spoke about his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev on The Ariel Helwani Show. The fight, which took place last August, saw Chimaev dominate du Plessis on the ground for nearly five rounds, resulting in a unanimous decision loss with scorecards reading 50-44 across all three judges. Du Plessis admitted the loss was 'obviously horrible' and that it 'stung' and 'hurt for quite a while,' but he emphasized that it motivates him to reclaim the title.
Du Plessis noted that Chimaev did not advance positions or pursue submissions, instead maintaining control to prevent stand-ups. Entering the final round, du Plessis believed he was winning the fight up until the last moments. 'I was 100% certain that I’m gonna stop this guy, I’m gonna knock him out,' he said. When he briefly gained top position, du Plessis felt Chimaev's resolve weaken: 'I could feel he didn’t wanna be there anymore... I know I can make that man quit.' He described Chimaev as not tougher than expected and sensed an 'Oh, s--t' reaction from him.
Regarding his silence since the loss, du Plessis explained, 'I’m not an influencer... There was no excuses. I wasn’t injured... I just lost.' An injury delayed his planned April return, but he hopes to be cleared for a fight camp starting next week, targeting May, June, or July. He is open to any opponent that advances his path to another title shot, including a potential bout with Kamaru Usman, though he clarified he never received that offer.
In related developments, Paulo Costa has expressed readiness to fight Chimaev in any weight class following a win at UFC 327. This interest highlights ongoing intrigue in the middleweight division, where winning streaks are short and matchups remain unpredictable.
Du Plessis' coach has previously attributed the loss to Chimaev's 'blanket' offense and officiating issues, calling them 'easy fixes.' As du Plessis prepares his return, the division's landscape continues to evolve.
