UFC 319: Khamzat Chimaev post-fight interview
UFC CEO Dana White spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at the UFC 319 post-fight press conference and talked the top storylines from Saturday’s event./
True character is shown in moments of adversity, and Dricus Du Plessis was nothing short of class in the aftermath of his losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) found himself helpless for almost the entire of the 25-minute headliner on Saturday at United Center in Chicago, with Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) successfully stifling him and, outside of a scare in the final round, dominating to a unanimous decision for gold.
It was not the performance Du Plessis wanted or expected, but he gave full credit to Chimaev for his overwhelming grappling ability.
“The man has incredible control on the top,” Du Plessis told Joe Rogan in the octagon post-fight at UFC 319. “He’s just like a blanket. It wasn’t a matter of strength. It wasn’t that physical, it was almost as if he knew what your next move is going to be. He got it without using too much power and I had to decide, am I going to be on my back or have him on my back? At the end I went for it, had the back. I could almost taste that victory but big ups to Khamzat.”
The result at UFC 319 marked the first time Du Plessis tasted defeat since October 2018, which dates back prior to the start of his promotional tenure. His run to the top of the division with two title defenses was a solid one, but now he must enter a new reality.
Du Plessis vowed to improve from the fight and return better for a run at a second title reign, but for now, he graciously paid respect to the new champion.
“He deserves this 100 percent,” Du Plessis said. “He beat me fair and square tonight. He was the better man tonight and I’ll be back, and I’m coming to get my belt back. But for now it’s his and he deserves it. … I’ll be back stronger and better than ever.”
