Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev could not be more different when it comes to their motivations ahead of UFC 319.
Since making his way to the middleweight throne in early 2024, Du Plessis has remained undefeated in the UFC by reeling off two successful title defenses.
The South African has pushed past challenges from both Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland to establish himself as one of the promotion’s longest-tenured champions, but the toughest test of his reign to date could come Saturday night.
Many have pointed to Chimaev as the biggest threat to Du Plessis, but the champ has appeared unfazed throughout the buildup to UFC 319. And his already high confidence recently received another boost owing to some potentially concerning comments from the challenger.
Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev focusing on wealth over UFC titles
Predictions have varied for the UFC 319 main event, with some tipping Chimaev to run through Du Plessis in the same fashion he did against Robert Whittaker to earn his shot in October 2024. Others, meanwhile, expect that Du Plessis’ superior cardio will pay dividends in the later rounds.
The South African backs himself to outlast anyone inside the Octagon when the going gets tough, and he’s especially confident of that being the case after Chimaev revealed that wealth is his main priority in MMA, not championships.
“You can’t fight me with that as your motivation,” Du Plessis told Daniel Cormier ahead of UFC 319.
“You will be paying all that money to get out of there if you’re in there with me for five rounds.
“If the money is your motivation…(it) will drive away very quickly,” Du Plessis continued. “There is no amount of money that is gonna keep you in that fight when I’m in there willing to give my life to win.
“It has to be bigger than you. Money is not bigger than me; passion, legacy, and achievement, that is bigger than me.”
Dricus du Plessis has always been confident of beating Khamzat Chimaev
While Chimaev’s focus on wealth is music to the ears of Du Plessis, it’s not as if the champion needed any more confidence.
The South African has long held strong self-belief when it comes to his chances of becoming the first man to defeat ‘Borz’ in MMA. In fact, just after the fight was confirmed, Du Plessis promised Chimaev an undesirable experience inside the cage at UFC 319.
“I don’t care how good you think you are, how tough, how fit, or how strong,” Du Plessis wrote on Instagram.
“When you step into that octagon with me, it will be a first-time experience and not a pleasant one.
“That’s a promise. As we say in (South Africa) built different!! #stillknocks #preparetobeamazed.”
Similar ominous warnings have flowed on both sides during fight week, including during the pair’s final remarks at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.
Chimaev warned Du Plessis that when they share the Octagon Saturday night, he would end up “dead.”