Khamzat Chimaev’s win over Drikas du Plessis was something however boring, not less than within the eyes of UFC commentators.
At UFC 319 in August 2025, Chimaev defeated then-middleweight champion Du Plessis with an amazing resolution efficiency. “The Bolts” took down his opponent instantly after the opening bell and managed him with relentless strain for many of the match.
The undefeated Russian managed the struggle with relentless chain wrestling and high strain, touchdown 12 takedowns and racking up a whopping 529 whole strikes, placing du Plessis on the again foot without end.
Regardless of having management, Chimaev hardly ever sought a end, relying extra on regular floor and pound than on fight-ending blows or fixed submission threats. Nonetheless, the strain was overwhelming for the South African.
Due to the way in which the match unfolded, some within the MMA neighborhood determined it was boring as an alternative of the heated showdown that was anticipated. Nonetheless, Michael Bisping strongly disagrees.
Michael Bisping says followers misunderstood Khamzat Chimaev’s superiority over Drix du Plessis
Throughout a current look jackson podcastUFC Corridor of Famer and commentator Michael Bisping famous the current wave of wrestling-focused performances within the UFC. The Rely claimed that Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant efficiency towards Drix du Plessis was extensively misunderstood.
“Khamzat Chimaev dominated Drix du Plessis from begin to end,” Bisping mentioned. “Nevertheless it was, ‘It is boring, he wasn’t making an attempt to complete it.'” He stored making an attempt to complete it. He was capable of proceed combating merely due to the toughness of Doricus du Plessis. ”
Bisping added that followers who branded the primary occasion of UFC 319 as boring failed to grasp the subtlety of how Chimaev neutralized du Plessis along with his elite grappling management. Though the struggle was not determined, the previous UFC champion emphasised that the technical superiority he displayed deserves extra recognition.
“This can be a masterpiece of grappling. Khamzat Chimaev had 22 minutes of management time to crucify Drix du Plessis. A lot of that point was spent within the ending place, the crucifix. That was just because Drix du Plessis was so good at burying his head that the one goal accessible was the highest of his head. 99 out of 100 males would have completed in that place.”
