Chimaev Faces Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319
UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev is just over a week away from a significant bout against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. This fight marks Chimaev’s opportunity for a world title, presenting his most formidable challenge yet against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters.
A Return to Multiple Weight Classes?
Earlier in his UFC career, Chimaev fought in both welterweight (170 lbs) and middleweight (185 lbs) divisions. His versatility in weight classes contributed to his rapid rise as a UFC star. However, after a weight miss before his fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 279, he has primarily focused on the middleweight category.
Now, three years later, Chimaev is contemplating a comeback to the welterweight division. In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, he expressed ambitions to become a three-division champion post-UFC 319, stating, “My new coach said, ‘Give me a couple of months and we’re going to make [welterweight].” Chimaev highlighted potential opponents, including Jack Della Maddalena, for a welterweight title fight, along with aspirations to compete for the light heavyweight belt against fighters like Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
Despite concerns surrounding his previous weight issues, Chimaev remains optimistic: “It’s hard but if you can do it, why not? Everything is hard. To get the big things are not easy; you have to work for that.”
Fan Skepticism About Chimaev’s Plans
Chimaev’s revelation about potentially returning to welterweight was met with skepticism across social media. Many fans expressed doubts regarding his ability to cut weight effectively, with one user commenting, “I don’t trust Khamzat cutting weight.” Others added:
- “He’s not active enough to be champ of 3 divisions, let alone 1.”
- “Last time he tried to make welterweight, he got sick. Forget it. Too big for welterweight.”
- “He’s got a better chance at heavyweight than welterweight at this point.”
The discourse reflects broader concerns about Chimaev’s future as he prepares for his pivotal fight against du Plessis.
Looking Ahead to Future Matchups
Chimaev’s ability to move across weight classes was also highlighted by former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub, who suggested he might even fight at heavyweight before retiring. Meanwhile, speculation about a potential fight with Alex Pereira was teased before negotiations faltered prior to UFC 283, where Pereira ultimately lost to Israel Adesanya in a rematch at UFC 287. Pereira is set to rematch Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 in October, adding another dynamic to the chatter around potential matchups for Chimaev.
As UFC 319 approaches, Chimaev’s aspirations and the reactions they provoke paint an intriguing picture of his journey in the octagon.
