The team behind Dricus Du Plessis is not short on confidence heading into their fighter’s third title defence against Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis said he will give Khamzat a ‘taste of his own medicine’ in their UFC 319 clash and prove to the world why he is the best MMA fighter on the planet.
Chimaev is expected to have the advantage over the champion in grappling ability.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
‘Borz’ is a three-time Swedish National champion in freestyle wrestling, and half of his victories in the UFC have come by way of submission, usually a brabo choke.
Dricus Du Plessis’ coach slams Khamzat Chimaev as ‘one-dimensional’
The South African champion is lesser known for his submission wins, with only two by that method in the organisation, instead opting to use his unorthodox striking ability to great effect.
While it may not be the strongest aspect of his game on paper, his head coach, Morne Visser, wholeheartedly believes his fighter won’t shy away from the wrestling of ‘The Wolf’.
Even with the pedigree behind their opponent, Morne is actively encouraging his fighter to take it to the challenger, even if it means taking the contest to the mat.
On the UFC Countdown video, the coach said: “Khamzat doesn’t know what it is when people want to wrestle him. He’s only facing guys who try to get away from his wrestling.
“We’re not trying to get away from his wrestling; we want to f- – – him up in his own game.”
Not only did he critique some opponents’ attempts at tackling a bout with the 31-year-old, but he also made a very bold claim about their Chechen opponent.
“You can’t think you’re going to beat my guy by coming with one thing, and that’s wrestling,” Morne exclaimed.
“That guy’s one-dimensional. You’ve seen his stand-up? I wouldn’t even give him a pro license for his s- – – stand up.”
Morne provided a strong message to the top contender in his final words.
He said: “He doesn’t present a problem for us; we are the problem.”
Dricus Du Plessis summed up his unique fighting style in two words
Joe Rogan has described the South African as a ‘knockout striker with an odd style’, and he certainly does not fight in the traditional styles of any martial artist.
In some of his fights, he has taken wild swings that have missed by a good margin, while in others, he has thrown a punch and a kick at the same time towards his opponent.
Asked how to describe his style, DDP said: “My style, I would describe that as very effective.
“South African style of fighting is going for it full speed, no retreat, throwing caution to the wind almost. That’s the way we do things.”
He has mentioned in interviews that if he retains, he will fight the next deserving contender of the middleweight division before moving up to test his unusual skills at light heavyweight.