UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis doesn’t see any training partner being able to mimic his style for Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will look to notch his third title defense when he takes on Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the UFC 319 headliner on Aug. 16 at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+, ESPN, pay-per-view).
Chimaev has changed things up for this training camp, making cardio one of his focal points. But no matter what Chimaev does during his preparation, Du Plessis is certain his style will still surprise him.
“With my style that is a very controversial style in the UFC, unlike anything that most people have ever seen,” Du Plessis told FOX 32 Chicago, “it’s only a benefit because it’s proven to be effective. But then again, how do you prepare for that? How do you find somebody to mimic that? And at the end of the day, that’s almost my niche. It’s impossible to prepare for me because I have this unique style that, where do you find somebody to mimic it?”
According to DraftKings, Du Plessis is a +150 underdog against undefeated Chimaev, who’s a -180 favorite. The South African said it’s not an unfamiliar role for him.
“I’m the underdog, I’ve been the underdog for most of my career, yet I am the champion,” Du Plessis said. “So, odds don’t make fights and for me, I 100 percent believe this is the best opponent that I have faced to date. But so was the previous one.
“Every time you step in there, you’re going to face the next most dangerous guy – especially as the champion. So for me, yes, this is the best opponent I’ve ever come up against, but once again, I’ll show my improvements and why I am the champion.”
