Dricus du Plessis says cameras can be deceiving after footage of his first meeting with Khamzat Chimaev caused a stir.<\/p>\n
Fight week is well underway for the UFC\u2019s latest pay-per-view, as the promotion follows up two low-key Apex cards with a highly anticipated lineup at Chicago\u2019s United Center.<\/p>\n
Topping proceedings is the first divisional championship fight since Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira<\/a> at UFC 317 this past June. Dricus du Plessis will be making his third defense of the middleweight title, which he has already held through challenges from both Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya.<\/p>\n To keep his belt and remain undefeated in the UFC, Du Plessis must get past Khamzat Chimaev<\/a>, an unbeaten phenom who has long been tipped to become a champion on MMA\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n And the Chechen\u2019s supporters seemingly got a boost when the first fight week meeting between the pair appeared to show a significant size advantage for the challenger.<\/p>\n Dricus du Plessis rejects claims Khamzat Chimaev considerably out-sizes him<\/p>\n The UFC posted footage of Du Plessis and Chimaev\u2019s respectful encounter<\/a> online. Rather than focusing on the nature of the interaction, most pointed to how \u2018Borz\u2019 appeared to loom large over \u2018Stillknocks\u2019.<\/p>\n For some, the video has boosted their belief in Chimaev\u2019s<\/a> chances of ending the South African champ\u2019s reign in the \u2018Windy City\u2019 on August 16. But Du Plessis has warned them not to take too much from the short clip.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, maybe it was the angle,\u201d Du Plessis<\/a> told Helen Yee regarding the footage.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen the video, but I can promise you \u2014 you\u2019ll see, you\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n \u201cI stood in front of him. He is definitely not taller than me,\u201d Du Plessis continued. \u201cMaybe a little; maybe like, half an inch. Yeah, you\u2019ll see. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd the other thing, I don\u2019t give a s\u2014 how big he is. That\u2019s not what wins fights. But yeah, I saw him, he is definitely not bigger than me.\u201d<\/p>\n Dricus du Plessis\u2019 confidence about beating Khamzat Chimaev is nothing new<\/p>\n It certainly did not take UFC 319 fight week to bring about Du Plessis\u2019 self-belief when it comes to handing Chimaev his first defeat in the sport.<\/p>\n Months out from the Chicago PPV, following confirmation that his next challenge would come from the Chechen, Du Plessis made a promise to Chimaev<\/a>. He vowed to force \u2018Borz\u2019 into an unwanted experience he has yet to have in mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong,\u201d Du Plessis wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a promise. As we say in \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 built different!! #stillknocks #preparetobeamazed.\u201d<\/p>\n