Adesanya Predicts Exciting Fight Between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev
Introduction
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is known for his sharp predictions and analysis of upcoming fights. In a recent interview, Adesanya shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated matchup between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Key Details
Adesanya believes that the outcome of this fight will come down to who can handle the "deep waters" better. Both du Plessis and Chimaev have impressive records and have shown their ability to finish fights early on. However, Adesanya believes that the fighter who can withstand the pressure and go the distance will come out on top.
He also pointed out that du Plessis, a former welterweight champion, may have an advantage in terms of size and experience over Chimaev, who has only had three fights in the UFC. Adesanya believes that this could be the determining factor in the fight.
Impact
Adesanya's prediction has sparked much discussion and anticipation for the upcoming fight. Many fans and analysts are curious to see if Chimaev, who has quickly risen to fame in the UFC, can handle the pressure and go the distance against a tough opponent like du Plessis.
This fight has the potential to be a game-changer in the middleweight division, and
About the People Mentioned
Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya, born July 22, 1989, in Nigeria and raised in New Zealand, is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC middleweight division, nicknamed "The Last Stylebender."[1][5] He began his combat sports career in kickboxing before transitioning to MMA in 2012, securing a TKO debut win over James Griffiths and building an 11-0 record with titles like the Australia Fighting Championship and Hex Fight Series middleweight championships.[1] Adesanya joined the UFC in 2018, debuting with a TKO over Rob Wilkinson at UFC 221 and going undefeated through victories against Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares, Anderson Silva, and Kelvin Gastelum, whom he beat for the interim middleweight title.[1] He unified the undisputed championship with a second-round knockout of Robert Whittaker.[1] As a two-time champion, he made five successful defenses before a failed light heavyweight title bid against Jan Błachowicz in 2021.[1] Setbacks included losing the belt to Alex Pereira at UFC 281, though he avenged it to reclaim the title, and later defeats that contributed to his professional record of 24-5-0.[1][4][5] Known for his striking precision—career stats show 4.02 strikes landed per minute at 48% accuracy—Adesanya stands 6'4" and weighs 185 pounds.[4][5] Recent events include a TKO loss to Nassourdin Imavov about a year ago and a scheduled headline fight against Joe Pyfer on a UFC card in Seattle, maintaining his relevance in the division amid discussions of top contenders like Dricus du Plessis.[2] At 36, he remains a prominent figure in MMA rankings and fight planning.[2][5]
Dricus du Plessis
Dricus du Plessis, nicknamed "Stillknocks" or DDP, is a South African professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC middleweight division.[1][2][4] Born on January 14, 1994, in Welkom, South Africa, he began training in judo at age five, added wrestling at twelve, and kickboxing at fourteen, achieving an undefeated 33-0 amateur kickboxing record with 30 knockouts and becoming South Africa's first WAKO World Champion in K-1 style at age 17.[1][2][3] Du Plessis turned professional in MMA in 2013, compiling a 4-0 record before his first loss by guillotine choke to Garreth McLellan in EFC Africa 33.[1][3][4] He rebounded to claim welterweight and middleweight titles in Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) and the welterweight belt in Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).[1][2][4] Joining the UFC in 2020, he maintained an 8-0 record in the promotion, showcasing a well-rounded style with 9 knockouts and 11 submissions in his 24-2 overall career.[2][3][4] Key achievements include defeating Derek Brunson by TKO at UFC 285 (2023), Robert Whittaker by TKO at UFC 290 (2023) to earn a title shot, and winning the UFC middleweight championship—becoming the first South African to do so—against Sean Strickland in 2024.[2][4] He made successful defenses via fourth-round face crank submission over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 (August 2024) and unanimous decision rematch against Strickland at UFC 312 (February 2025).[4] As of August 2025, du Plessis held the #1 UFC middleweight ranking and #11 pound-for-pound, training at CIT Performance Institute in Pretoria.[1][4][7] He lost the title to Khamzat Chimaev in August 2025, marking a pivotal recent event.[6] Standing 6'1" at 185 lbs, his aggressive, resilient style and national pride define his prominence in MMA.[3][5]
Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev, born on May 1, 1994, is a professional mixed martial artist from the United Arab Emirates. He is widely known by his nickname "Borz," which translates to "wolf" in Chechen. Chimaev stands at 6'2" and competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is affiliated with the Allstars Training Center and has maintained an undefeated record of 15-0-0 throughout his career[2][3]. Chimaev's rise to prominence in the UFC has been marked by impressive victories, including a recent title win against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. This victory solidified his position as a UFC middleweight champion[2][5]. His early career was marked by dominant performances, including submissions and knockouts that quickly gained him attention in the MMA community. Notably, he has faced challenges such as a violent illness that postponed some of his fights and a weight miss at UFC 279, which led to a chaotic event[1][3]. Despite these setbacks, Chimaev has demonstrated resilience and determination, earning him a reputation as one of the most formidable fighters in the UFC. His background, shaped by his experiences in war-torn regions, has contributed to his mental toughness and drive to succeed in the sport[4]. Chimaev's achievements have placed him among the top contenders in the middleweight division, with many considering him a future star in the UFC. Currently, Chimaev remains a central figure in the UFC's middleweight division, with ongoing discussions about potential future matchups that could further establish his status as a top-tier fighter[5]. His recent title win and undefeated record continue to attract significant attention and interest from fans and analysts alike.
About the Organizations Mentioned
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company, founded in 1993 by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and Bob Meyrowitz. Initially conceived as an experimental event to determine the most effective martial art in real combat, the UFC has evolved into a global sports phenomenon. The first event, UFC 1, was held in Denver, Colorado, and featured a single-elimination tournament with minimal rules, won by Royce Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner[1][2][3]. ### History and Evolution In its early years, the UFC faced criticism for its brutality, leading to the introduction of stricter rules and safety measures. By the late 1990s, weight classes and prohibited techniques were implemented, and the Unified Rules of MMA were adopted around 2000, significantly enhancing the sport's legitimacy[2][4]. The UFC's financial struggles in the early 2000s were alleviated when the Fertitta brothers and Dana White purchased the company in 2001. Their leadership transformed the UFC into a mainstream success, notably through the reality TV show "The Ultimate Fighter," which aired in 2005[4]. ### Key Achievements and Current Status The UFC has made several strategic acquisitions, including Pride Fighting Championships in 2007 and Strikeforce in 2011, solidifying its position as the premier MMA promotion[1]. Today, the UFC operates across multiple continents, hosting events in various countries and featuring top fighters like Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre. The organization has expanded to include 12 weight divisions for men and women, reflecting its growth and diversification[5]. ### Notable Aspects The UFC is recognized for its innovative approach to sports marketing and its ability to integrate technology into its events, enhancing fan engagement and broadcast quality. Its global reach and popularity have made it a significant player in the sports industry, attracting millions of fans
